🌎To the Ends of the Earth 🌏

I’ve been back in States for a few days now. Every time I’ve traveled to another country in the past, it’s hard for me to adjust back to the American way of life. It’s different and not many people will understand the experience. It helps to be plugged into a community that understands your heart and is willing to listen when you need to verbally process, but even they may not be able to fully empathize. It helps me to write out all my thoughts in one big chaotic mess of words, and then I can read them out loud and analyze and connect the main ideas together. One thing that God revealed to me in  Southeast Asia came when I was asked the question, “How has the gospel impacted your life in the last week?”

This is a good question to ask ourselves here in the States too, because we should be living missionally right where we are as well. This is the conviction I need to ask for forgiveness for daily because I get caught up in my own world far too often. This is my response to the question for my two weeks in Southeast Asia: 

In the second village we went to it was so broken with the majority of the women divorced or widowed. My host home was one of the few who were still married, however, they had their share of brokenness too. On our last day she told us that her son had died in the city in a motorcycle accident just last night. 😢She was hurting and she trusted us to share, but she would not share her brokenness as well as share her home. The first village was smaller and had more family connections, and they were overwhelmingly hospitable. The second village was hospitable too and wanted to host us, but their hospitality was more traditional to their culture. (I can explain in another post or if you want to know, let’s grab coffee or tea sometime!) The interesting thing is, the second village in their brokenness was more open to having gospel conversations in host homes with the workers than the first village did. It took me by surprise, but God revealed to me that it’s the darkest most broken places that are more hungry for the Good News. This ignited my heart to share more of God’s Word! 

“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 

-Romans 5:8 

“The LORD is close to the broken-hearted and saves those crushed in spirit!” -Psalms 34:18 

It’s in our brokenness that we are drawn to the love and kindness of God!  

The second village had more people open to hear because they are desperate! God is moving in their village, and He was so kind to use us to fight against the evil that is attacking the village! It was so hard to leave after just a few days, but what a joy and relief it is knowing God will continue to work without our presence! 🩵 

God will continue saving people for His glory, in every nation, in every tribe, and in every language! 
“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and THEN the end will come.” -Matthew 24:14 
“Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have anxious hearts, ‘Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will continue with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” -Isaiah 35:3-4

The Restless and Fulfilling 20s

 My 20s have been a long one. My college years were focused on serving God more than my college classes or finding a husband. The last two years of my college career were spent with the reality that I HAD TO GRADUATE. I finally took two summers of summer classes so I could graduate, and even then I didn't get to graduate as an education major. I ended up finishing with my degree in Intercultural Studies, and to pursue my teaching certification after graduation. 

At age 25, I finally reached the milestone as a college graduate. I taught English in China that summer after graduation, but I returned home to no clear direction. I am very grateful that my parents let me come home, and I had a job at the early childhood center that I worked at in college. Despite my 5 years in college, I still had so much growing up to do. On top of that, I was now facing the fear I didn't have while in college... will I end up single and alone? That's a real fear I didn't think I'd have, but once you leave the safety and structure of college, the reality of the world becomes scarier.

I worked 2 part-time jobs for 2 and a half years post-graduation, and I cherished that season because I got plenty of family time and growing pains I didn't know I needed. However, I was always discontented for something more. Fast forward to 2019 when I was hired to be a first grade teacher, where more growing pains awaited for me, and a pandemic. But the fear of being alone forever was still looming over me like a big black storm cloud in my heart, and I wasn't surrendering it to the Lord. I wasn't surrendering it because honestly, I was afraid to. I still am most days. It's a daily battle I need to surrender, and most days I don't want to. Thank goodness for God's abundant mercy and grace.  

I realized within the last year and a half that I was never afraid to say yes to God in college because my yes' were always short-term discomfort. Once God brought the possibility of permanent discomfort, I shrunk back. I didn't want to surrender. "Why would God do that?" was my thought. I was having trouble believing what I already knew... that God's ways are always good even when they are not my plans. So difficult to say that--or type that. But I'm being real because somehow I don't think I'm alone in these thoughts and fears.

I don't have it all figured it out yet, and I'm still learning to trust God more as an adult every day. But I am confident now that my life as a Christian has not ever been based on what I do for God. I never have or had to be perfect. That's the work of the Holy Spirit as I walk with Him. I'll have times of joy, times of sorrow, times to tear, and times to sew. But God is in every single one of those times. Searching for God's will for my life is simply being where I can serve and love Him and the people around me. My 20s may look different to what society, or what my 13 year old self thinks it should have been, but I can look back and see exactly where God was even in the mistakes. God never left and He never will. 

God uses restlessness to awaken our hearts for the higher purpose and calling He's prepared us for. 

I may not meet my husband in my 20s. God is preparing us separately and clarifying our calling so we will be ready for when we meet. Or maybe God doesn't have a plan for me to be married. Either way, I will strive to be in God's will in the place he has for me. 

"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; 
your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. 
Do not forsake the works of your hands."
-Psalms 138:8 

 

Trusting through the years

8 years 

I was young and afraid, 

but God stepped in. 

He called me away from my fears, 

I knew I could trust Him here. 

13 years 

A little bit older now and still afraid, 

but God continued calling me to a Higher place. 

He called me away from my fears, 

I knew I could trust Him here. 

18 years 

A little braver now but still young, 

I made it here by God’s love. 

Changes were made, 

I felt alone and afraid, 

but I knew I could still trust God in this place. 

21 years 

Older and letting go of fears, 

not afraid to travel far somewhere. 

I found my identity in the Son,

no longer in finding someone. 

I know I could still trust God here. 

27 years 

Life is different than what I planned, 

By now I thought I would be holding a man’s hand. 

I’m questioning, “am I still in God’s hands?” 

I find myself shrinking back to my 8 year old self, 

but God continues calling me to trust. 

Things are different, yes it’s true, 

but God is still the unshakable, 

and He still whispers, “I am making all things new.” 

I can let go of my fears, 

because I know I can continue trusting God here. 

Mountains Moved

Happy New Year! 

 I’ve been in Norh Carolina for a week visiting an old friend,  and something amazing happened. 

My friend Allison and I have been getting to talk a lot this week, and she’s seeking to be closer with God again. Last night we read the Bible in her husbands workshop, and for once she wanted me to talk and share. The reason I am surprised is because when we were younger (4th and 5th grade) we had an argument about our different beliefs about baptism. That argument didn’t change our friendship, but it did affect us from ever reading or talking about the Bible together again. So the fact that she’s been wanting to talk to me and have a devotional with me is a big deal!! 

Last night we were reading Colossians 1, and she wanted me to read and pray. 

I kind of stepped into the facilitator role of asking questions to study the passage, something I’m insecure about doing because I don’t know “enough.” 

But it’s amazing that when Allison’s husband was on a tangent and wouldn’t let me talk, Allison interrupted and told him to let me speak. 

God’s done a lot in our hearts and mind since we were 11 and 10 years old!! 💛

It was also a small way of God telling me not to be afraid to lead a community group!! 

It was a big moment in our friendship to be able to study the Word of God together. 

It is a miracle that God is revealing Himself to her and she is seeking Him. A mountain moved is a miracle no matter how small the move is. 

Enneagram 7

I love personality tests. I don't analyze myself or others well, so personality tests help me to reflect on myself and others. I've taken several personality tests but my favorite is the one I've taken recently. That is the Enneagram test. If you have not taken or even heard of the ennegram, I highly encourage you to take it. There's a free app  you can download on your smartphone, or you Google "Enneagram Test" and click the first link that pops up.Take it. Reflect on your results.Then have your friends and family take it and learn about their types. I think this is a good tool for us to learn how to love and understand each other better.

I took the test for the first time a few months ago, and then I was introduced to an amazing singer/songwriter, Ryan O'Neal, who wrote a song for each enneagram type. Every lyric, every musical sound, even down to the process of recording the song was inspired by how each type thinks. You can listen to his enneagrama album on iTunes Podcasts.  His recent release was the enneagram 7 (finally!). I've copied the lyrics below for y'all to take a look:


How nice it'd be if we could try everything
I'm serious, let's make a list and just begin
"What about danger?" So what. "What about risk?"
Let's climb the mountain before we cross that bridge!

'Cause I'm restless, I'm restless, I'm restless
For whatever comes next

How wonderful to see a smile on your face
It costs farewell tears for a welcome-home parade
A secret handshake between me and my one life:
I'll find the silver lining no matter what the price

'Cause I'm hungry, oh I'm hungry, I'm hungry
For whatever comes next

Let me tell you another secret of the trade-
It feels like sinking when I'm standing in one place
So I look to the future and I book another flight
When everything feels heavy, I've learned to travel light

But I want to be here
Truly. Be. Here
To watch the ones that I love bloom
And I want to make room
To love them through and through and through
And through the slow and barren seasons too

I feel hope
Deep in my bones
Tomorrow will be beautiful

And I'm ready. God I'm ready, oh I'm ready
Restless and hungry, but I'm ready
For whatever comes next

Every line of the song rings so true. O'Neal writes these songs to bring out the beauty of each enneagram type. Where people would call a type 7 unfocused and lack commitment and unfocused, he shows their beauty for their passion and sense of adventure. Sevens constantly move because they want to avoid their own pain, but they are also the ones who are great counselors to help others through their pain. Sevens aren't afraid of pain, they just want to avoid their own. As a Biblical Christian who follows Jesus, God has revealed so much about my heart through this. He has reminded me that I do not have to be afraid to talk about my pain with Him, 1. because He already knows my heart! and 2. because if I don't deal with my pain then bitterness will grow in my heart toward God and toward other people who have nothing to do with my pain. When I let myself feel my pain then I am drawn back to my Heavenly Father who is the only One who can heal my wounds.

"The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)

"Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed." (Psalms 34:5)

God knew my personality type even before I was born. He created my personality. He created your personality. He loves our personalities, and He wants to show us how He plans to use our personalities for the purpose to serve and glorify Him.

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10)

Embrace the personality that you have been given. Your personality has a purpose in this world, and you are so important in this world to further God's kingdom.


To learn more about the enneagram personality types go to the link below:
https://www.theenneagramsingapore.com/three-centres-of-intelligence/

FIND ME!

An original poem I wrote in 5 minutes on July 10, 2018. It’s the inner cry of my heart that I want to tell my earthly father. I love my dad, but I know he isn’t perfect. Just as I am not perfect. But my Heavenly Father, who loves me better than my earthly father does, loves me too much to leave me in my imperfect flesh. Yes, God is forgiving of my sins, but He also wants me (and all of us) to admit and turn away from our sins, and that means seeking help and opening up to a trusted, Christian community about our struggles. It’s time to stop hiding in that adult game of hide-n-seek where we want to stay hidden. It’s time to play like my 3 year old niece plays by shouting “FIND ME!” in our hiding place. 

There’s no need to run and hide. 

There’s no need to cover your sin behind the blinds. 

Because in the hiding you’ll never heal. 

Don’t you know it’s okay to be real? 

Why can’t we all just be kids again? 

Back when we played hide n seek and wanted to be found in the end. 

Kids are smarter than many adults think, 

Because kids realize the truth underneath.. 

That hiding our flaws isn’t how we heal, 

It’s only by jumping into the light screaming “FIND ME!” 

Humans In His Image

The smell of coffee beans permeate the room full of sitting people. People I don't know and probably would have never encountered if we all did not make the same decision to come to the same coffee shop.

This is to the college-aged girl in front of me highlighting in her notebook the verses from her Bible study. To the older gentleman sitting by himself waiting on his friend. To the 20-something guy who is reading an e-book and listening to his own music. To the mother and daughter sitting across from each other. I do not know either of your names or your story, but I do know that you are all dearly loved by our Creator, and I that you all matter to Him. Even before you were born, He knew you.

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."
(Psalms 139:13-14)

And regardless of what you've heard or have been told, you have not been forgotten. You belong to Him, and He calls you His.

"But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel; 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you: I have called you by name, you are mine." (Isaiah 43:1)

He has chosen you. He has always loved you, even though you may not have loved or chosen Him. Why does He love you? Well, why does a mother love her child?

God created every human in His very own image. (Genesis 1:27)
He did it so He can have a relationship with you and me. He isn't a distant God or Father. He is Holy and Mighty, and He is also loving. He is the Author of life, and "we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10)

You do not have to try to earn His love. His love is free. His grace is free. You do not have to be ashamed of your bruises or scars because in Christ there is no judgement or condemnation. (Romans 8:1; Luke 7:47-48)

Learn to love Him. Learn to trust Him. Desire to know Him. And then, make Him known.

Joseph’s Integrity

Tonight is Christmas Eve. The night we celebrate that God came to us in human form. There are many perspectives of Jesus’ birth that people reflect on: the wise men, the shepherds, the inn keeper, and Mary. But two years ago I looked at Jesus’ birth with a new perspective. I like to look at Jospeh, who is from the line of David. God chose Mary to bare His son, and he chose Joseph to raise Him like He was his own. 

Joseph respected Mary and feared the Lord. He respected Mary by not wanting to humiliate her, and he trusted God by taking her as his wife even though she was pregnant with a baby who was not his. 

Joseph loved Jesus as his own, even though he wasn’t. He taught him skills, how to be a man, and how to trust and love God, and to love people. That is a big responsibility for a man, and God still entrusted Joseph to raising His son because He knew that Joseph would trust that God would guide and sustain him. 

Joseph’s faith and character is admirable. Many girls today want a husband like Boaz, but I pray my husband and future sons are like Joseph; a man who trusts God in painful and scary situations, a man who listens for God to guide him, a man who loves and respect God, his wife, and children. Joseph is who I pray for my future husband to be; for all brothers in Christ to be. 

“and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1:16-25‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him."

and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt I called my son."

But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭2:13, 15, 19-23‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Fellowshipping In Prison

I went to prison last night. No not as an offender. I went to witness 82 ex-offenders graduate from a program that helped them find hope, forgiveness, faith, and repentance. 

When I walked inside the prison I was a little nervous. But when I sat down in the prison chapel and I looked at faces around me (who were about my age), I wasn’t afraid. Hearing some of their stories of how the program helped them and how they’ve changed, talking and laughing with them afterwards, fellowshiping with a room full of prisoners.... I left with so much joy in my heart to see such a sight. To see these men not as criminals but as brothers, fathers, sons, nephews, uncles, co workers and friends. To see how God’s grace is not limited, and to see lives changed with the truth and hope of Jesus Christ. 

All this to say, 

I would go back to prison. 💛 

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭25:34-36‬ ‭

Bùyào hàipà

Warning: In this post I am going to be very real and vulnerable with you.

Have you ever had a verse constantly on your heart and in your mind? Has the same verse made frequent occurrences into your conversations, sermons you've listened to, or in your own Bible reading times? I've had many verses do that, and it happens usually when God is trying to teach me something in the middle of a transition or big change in my life. One verse that has been showing up frequently in the last two years is Ephesians 3:20-21, which says,

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

This verse stuck out to me because it tells me that God IS ABLE. He is Yahweh, All Mighty, All Powerful, Holy, Righteous, Just, Alpha and Omega, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. In civilian terms, God is THE BOSS; the CEO of the world. Except unlike CEO's on earth, nothing can stop God from accomplishing His plans with His company (the world) and workers (those who believe in Jesus Christ is Lord). God is INFINITE. If you are a follower of Christ then I'm sure you know and believe this. If not, let's talk. :)

This verse has been constant in my life because I have been in a season of change and transition. A year ago I changed my college major again, and I finally graduated with my Bachelor's Degree in May 2017. I moved home over the summer, I went to East Asia for a month, and now I am still living at home working two part-time jobs, and I can't help but relate with Disney's Tangled when she sings, "when will my life begin"?  Which is dumb, I know. It's dumb because the day that I "saw the light" (Tangled reference for when I surrendered my life to Jesus and what He wanted to do with me) is when my life began. I know this. I know what Scripture says. I know God is in control. I know God has a plan for me. I know God is always with me. So why have I been feeling alone and confused lately? Why have I been struggling with convincing my heart to believe what my head knows?

The answer came to me when God spoke to me through Ephesians 3:20,

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us"

The reason that I've been struggling with doubt in faith and direction in life is because I've been relying on my own power. I've been afraid to admit defeat. I've been afraid to tell my community my struggles. And most importantly, I've been afraid to tell God, which is silly because He already knows! I've let my fear seem bigger than my faith in Jesus Christ and what He can do with my fear if I would simply lay it down at his feet.

God has taught me this lesson before. Four years ago when I was praying about spending 6 weeks in the Republic of Moldova. God had clearly given me that opportunity, but I almost backed out because I was afraid to go. I was afraid of the possibility of being alone, and I was afraid of missing out on the ministry opportunities I have been a part in with my home church. But God spoke to me so clearly, and what He said helped me to be confident in my decision to go to Moldova. He said that it is not my power to do either ministry. He does not need me to do either one, and just because I would not be doing one does not mean that He is not still at work where I am not. He wants to use me and He will use me because I am willing, but He does not need me in everything. That's why He has the church body. He knew that I would go to Moldova for 6 weeks and not be able to be a pre-teen camp leader. He was not surprised. In fact, He had other leaders in mind to step up for when I couldn't be there. God is ABLE.

This last year I struggled with letting go of a ministry again. I know that God has called me to work with children, and I thank Him for the opportunities I had to serve in the children's ministry throughout my college years. He had me in the ministry to prepare me, to change me, and to invest in the children in the ministry at that time. But when it came to a time of change so that He could continue His work in me, I didn't want to let go. I didn't want to let go of the children's ministry because I was afraid. I was afraid to let go of what's comfortable. I was afraid that I wouldn't have a place to serve. I was afraid of missing out on what God was doing there. But by refusing to let go I was missing out on what God had for me next; the new relationships He had for me, the new ministry that He wanted me to be part of. I was afraid because I wasn't trusting God. My actions was not matching my theology.

But the good news (or GREAT news) is that there is grace. There is grace for my weakest moments. When my faith is weak, Jesus is strong. Jesus is constant. Jesus is able. Jesus is able to take my fears. Jesus is able to take my doubt. Jesus is able to make my heart believe.


I am by no means perfect. I will never be perfect until my life on earth is over and I stand in the presence of my Father and His Son sitting at His right side who appeals for my sin. But every day of my life until that day comes, God is teaching me how to trust Him more. Learning to trust Him is hard, because it means I have to lay down my pride and my fears. But it's worth it. It's worth choosing to not live according to my fear and selfishness part of me so that I can be near to my Father.

While I was in East Asia I learned a phrase that is close to my heart. It's a phrase that is repeated several times throughout Scripture. The Chinese phrase is: Bùyào hàipà which means: Do not be afraid.

This phrase reminds me not to live in fear, and instead to live in the power that God gives us through believing in His Son Christ Jesus. 

"for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." -2 Timothy 1:7

"...Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." -Joshua 1:9

No fear of mine is too big for God to handle in his power. No burden is too heavy that God cannot lift. No former, present or future sins, no mistake, not even thousands of student debt can keep his power contained! If I would simply ACT on that truth, I would see God move mountains. Maybe not in the way I would expect or want, but God will move. And he will do it in ways that I wouldn’t even imagine! He just wants me to ACT. To PRAY. To ASK. And not try to bare it all on my shoulders and let the weight of the world crush me. He is here waiting for us to cry out to him.

Rain, rain, please stay for another day

While driving from Arlington to NE Dallas in the rain this morning  I noticed something. The rain remained constant in every city that I drove through. The clouds, the rain, and the cold winds have outstretched for more than 20 miles, and I am amazed. I am amazed how God can cover a whole metroplex with the same rain (though a metroplex is so small compared to what he CAN DO). And as I drove in awe of his work, it made me think about his power, his love, and compassion. He is MIGHTY. He has ALL that he needs, he doesn’t need me or anyone else. But His love is as WIDE and DEEP as His power. He doesn’t want to leave us in our sin. He doesn’t want to leave us separated from Him. That’s why He came down to us. That’s why He gave us Jesus His Son to COVER us in HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS. Just as He covers the earth with water to refresh the land from temporal death, He refreshes our soul from eternal death. ❤️ He saves us by grace through the blood of Jesus. And when I think about all of this I can’t help but praise my Creator, my King, and my Creator! Oh praise Him!! May the whole earth praise Him!! 🙏🏽❤️🙌🏿💞🤟🏽

“The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. All of your works will thank you, Lord, and your faithful followers will praise you. They will speak of the glory of your kingdom; they will give examples of your power. They will tell about your mighty deeds and about the majesty and glory of your reign. For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does.”

Psalms 145:8-13 NLT

Lessons From China

6,980 miles from Texas to China;

Two different languages we speak. 

And yet, somehow we’re still the same. 

Different hair, different eyes, different skin, and different size, 

But we’re the same when you look on the inside. 

Parents there are similar to the parents here; 

They all want the best for their child. 

Children spend more hours in a classroom than outside or at home. 

When are they allowed to just be a kid? 

Teaching my native tongue in a foreign land was a new experience; 

For once I was the foreigner in someone else’s home. 

Teaching English was difficult not because I couldn’t do it, 

It was because I couldn’t understand all that my students knew or felt because they couldn’t express it in my first language. 

However, I discovered that when I tried to communicate with them in their first language, the more they wanted to communicate to me in mine. 

I could say many things about what I learned from teaching English in China.

One lesson I learned was this: 

No matter who are, what language you speak, or the color of your skin, we all want to be understood, we all want to know that we matter, and that we are loved. 

And most importantly, 

I serve a BIG God who created such a beautiful country, a beautiful people, and a beautiful world. 

I serve a God who understands us no matter what language we speak.

 He loves us all the same. 

He loves us so much to give His Only Son for us so that we can know Him. 

Whether in North America, Asia, South America, Africa, Europe, or Australia, 

We all bleed the same. 

Teaching The Next Generation

Teaching preschool children

I had 6 preschool children (3 girls and 3 boys) with me and my goal is to teach them soccer skills and to help build character development.  I split the children up into 2 teams (boys and girls). The word of the week is PATIENCE (waiting your turn). But in this moment a sponataneous character lesson occurred. I decided to teach the boys about being gentlemen. 

I told the boys that the girls will go first and they will wait with PATIENCE for their turn. The boys moaned at first and I said, “is that being patient?” Then I asked them, “do you know what a ‘gentleman’ is?” All of the boys said “No.” 

Then I said, “A gentlemen is a boy who is nice to girls. One way to be nice to girls is by letting them go first.” 

And then we can practice being PATIENT (waiting quietly and with a happy heart) for your turn. 

But the boys are not the only ones who needed the lesson. I turned to the the girls and asked them do they know what a “lady” is. 

I then explained to the girls that a “lady” is a girl who  is nice to boys. So since the boys were nice to let you go first then you tell them “THANK YOU!” for letting you go first. 

 

The girls said shyly: thank you 

And then I told the boys to say “my pleasure” (because you are happy to let them go first) 

If you are a parent, or you work with kids of any age, look for those moments to teach your child  a life lesson. Your kids are not too young. They are teachable and moldable. Let’s raise the next generation together! 

The Best Thing I Could Do

You, God, are Holy,
You are Mighty,
You are Worthy,
You are Good,
You created everything,
and still you love me.
You want me;
there is nothing I can do to make you stop loving me.
The shame I feel would go away if I would just stop and pray;
Letting go of all that I am holding onto.
God, I love you;
It's the best thing that I could ever do.
Your ways are higher,
Your ways are better,
Take my heart and change my desires.
I want to love you more than the selfish things I do.
(Original Poem)

"Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways." -Psalm 119:36-37

Nǐ hǎo!

Today I finished day 3 of training. I've met my team and we've absorbed a lot of information about the Chinese culture and how to teach English to ESL students just in the last couple days. Today we learned who our teacher assistants will be, and we've all chosen a theme for our classrooms. I will be a teacher for second and third graders and my classroom theme will be the woodlanders! I've been learning a few Chinese greetings and phrases such as:

Nǐ hǎo - Hello.

Wǒ jiào Molly. - I am called Molly.

Wǒ shì lǎo shī. - I am a teacher.

I am so excited to be part of this team as we learn about each other, and about the people we all desire to love, serve and work with. Our Father really is a good, good Father to have brought this team together. 

 

However, I wouldn't be honest if I did not say that I am nervous. I am nervous because I have a small voice inside of me that is telling me that I can't do it. That I can't teach, I can't make lesson plans, I can't prepare and be organized, I can't learn how to speak the language, I can't live in another culture other than my own, I can't build relationships with a stranger. I can't do this because I am aware of my inadequacies. I know myself. I know where my strengths lack. That is why I am insecure and afraid. BUT, those weaknesses are also my strength. How is that? My insecurity and fear always leads me to where I find my confidence and hope.

Just as Peter stepped out of the boat without fear because he wanted to be near to his Teacher. Peter only started to sink because he realized the enormous storm that he had jumped into, but Peter knew exactly what to do when he was afraid. He called out for help. His fear made him aware of his inadequacies to save himself, and he immediately called out to his Savior because he believed that He alone can save.

I decided to jump out of my comfortable boat in America because of the same passion Peter had for our Savior. Even now as I am getting closer to getting on that plane and becoming fearful and worried, I know that my Helper is with me and will be with me. Just look at how far I've come since I first graduated from high school! Look at everything Father has done through me! I traveled to places I've never dreamed of going, I've done things that I never thought I could. I graduated college! In all of these things I've had the temptation to stop and give up because of fear and insecurities. But my Father sustained me and He strengthened me. He saw me through, and sometimes carried me, till I got to the end. That was because of grace. 

So as I sit here and process everything that's happened in the last three days, I am asking for my friends and family to yarp for me. For diligence in planning and preparing, for provision, for strength, for wisdom, for the hearts that I will have the opportunity to teach, to love, and to tell them the love our Father has for them. Yarp for a relationship to build between us and our TA's, because we will be spending a lot of time together and we will have opportunities on the weekends to hang out with them. Yarp intentionality and open hearts! 

Xièxiè

Thank you

Teacher Molly

    

Keep Looking Ahead

You don't have to try. 

You don't have to pretend to be somebody you're not. 

You don't have to tone down your laugh. 

You don't have to worry about scaring people off with your excited and enthusiastic personality, 

Because there will be people who won't like that, but there will also be people who do. 

There will be people who don't give your friendship a chance, but there will be people who love what you bring into the friendship. 

There will be guys who reject you. 

There will be guys and people who will hurt you. 

But don't let those few stereotype the others. That's how prejudice and bitterness takes root. 

Even when people hurt you, Love people anyways. 

Remember the people who love and support you. 

Remember the God who loves you so dearly. 

Remember how Jesus died for you way before you even loved him back;

Remember how Jesus loved those who persecuted and rejected him. 

Remember how Jesus saves not just the lost, but he sustains those who believed in him. 

Out of all the guys who rejected you,

There will be one man who falls in love with your quirks and flaws. 

One man already has, and that man is Jesus. 

There will be a man (in God's work and timing) who will fall in love with you because of your love for Jesus. 

There will be a guy who loves your character. 

There will be a guy who will love you enough to be a better man and who will push you to be a better woman. 

There will be a guy who wouldn't change a thing about you, but he'll want you to change to be more like Jesus; and the same goes for him. 

There will be a guy, but you have to wait. 

Don't wait and do nothing though. 

Don't live in depression and discontentment.

You're single now for a purpose. 

God is preparing you right now to be the woman he wants you to be in the future. 

Don't waste your singleness. Use it for the kingdom of God in ways you won't be able to do in marriage. 

Singleness and marriage is a God-given gift. 

Don't waste either gift. 

Use both to the fullness while you have it. 

One day there will be a man who looks at you like Jesus as the bridegroom looks at you. 

"You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no more be termed Forsaken, and your land shall no more be termed Desolate, but you shall be called My Delight is in Her, and your land Married; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a young woman, so shall your sons marry you, and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you." -Isaiah 62:3-5

Our best days are not behind us. 

The hardest thing about traveling

The longest I've been gone was when I spent 6 weeks in Moldova. But coming back with so many things in my head and heart that was exposed and enlightened, it was difficult to communicate them to people. And I still learn something new from my time there. It prepared me for moving into an apartment with 5 other girls, which is preparing me to graduate and possibly spend a year in China alone. 

So many questions go through my head: 

Will I have community there? 

Will I be able to adjust to the culture? 

Will I be able to speak the language? 

Will friends and family back home forget about me? 

Will my church family be okay? 

Will everyone move on while I'm away? 

Will I have community when I return? 

Will I be able to readjust back to "normal" life in the States? 

Will everyone be married? 

Will I be the only single one? 

Will my life change so much that I can no longer stay in the same place? 

Will my heart ache too much to stay in the culture I was sent, or will it hurt too much to be away from the place I've called home for 25 years? 

So many thoughts, so many questions. The only thing I can do is to pray earnestly for the Lord to give me peace wherever he takes me, because I know that whatever lies ahead it will be challenging. But I know that he has given me community here and now so I will have prayer warriors supporting me for when I go. 

https://london2cape.com/adventure-travel/the-hardest-part-of-travelling/

Helping Children Learn Math

Molly Adams 

Math 3303 

June 21, 2016 

Article Annotation 

The smartest of math teachers will fail to help their students learn mathematical concepts if they do not understand the reality that is multiple intelligences. When teachers realize these theories and philosophies, we can work and study to teach math in different perspectives according to the multiple intelligences that connect with each of our students. These theories and philosophies of learning is to help teachers know how to “empower children to learn mathematics. Whatever method is chosen, however, children's varied learning styles, strengths, experiences, and perspectives must be considered. To achieve that goal, it is important to recognize that not all children learn in the same way, and that children have multiple means of learning.” This article uses Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences that explains seven different ways that children learn. Some students may have more than one of these intelligences, but an effective teacher should be sure to incorporate all of these in her lesson for each student to be able to learn and lead to cognitive ability. 

SUMMARY OF GARDNER'S ORIGINAL MULTIPLE INTELLIGENCES

INTELLIGENCE DESCRIPTION

Linguistics Words/Language: the ability to use words

 correctly and comfortably, either orally or in

 writing, to express meaning

Logical- Logic/Mathematics: the ability to use numbers

Mathematical correctly and effectively; to think

 inductively or deductively; to categorize,

 classify, and generalize

Spatial Visual: the ability to understand, interpret,

 and model the visual world; to represent

 spatial information effectively

Bodily- Body/Physical: the ability to use physical

Kinesthetic means to represent ideas and feelings

Musical Music: the ability to understand and use

 musical concepts in a perceptive or

 technical sense; to develop

 an appreciation for music

Interpersonal People/Relationships: the ability to

 relate to and understand people; to possess

 good social and leadership skills

Intrapersonal Self: the ability to use self-understanding

 and self-knowledge; to monitor the self; to

 be self-disciplined

 (Armstrong, 1994)

Along with these multiple intelligences, this article uses the five mathematical process standards as the framework for “utilizing the multiple intelligences that children bring to mathematics learning.” 

Mathematical Process Standards: 

1) Problem Solving

2) Reasoning and Proof

3) Communication

4) Connections

5) Representation

The article says that the main focus for teaching mathematics is the “focus on problem solving.” I agree with this statement because that is the essential skill everyone needs for any kind of math problem; whether it be a word problem or algebraic problem. If a student cannot cannot figure out what the question is asking then they will not know how to solve the problem. Everyone's mind works differently and develops different, and not everyone can see a problem in the same way. Students must learn how to take a problem and turn it into something that they can read and understand. 

For example, when I was second grade I would stay up late with my mom doing math homework because I just could not visualize that 4-2=2. However, when my mom would ask me how many pencils there were after taking two away, I was able to confidently say “TWO!”,  but when I looked back at the paper I couldn't match it with the numbers on the worksheet. Math was a struggle for me and I couldn’t verbally tell my mom why I didn’t understand. Not until my second grade teacher turned everything around for me. My second grade teacher was the first teacher I had that did not make us sit and do math problems. She had math stations around the room for us to work with our hands and work with classmates, and if I needed extra help I could go to the teacher one-on-one at her desk. This was when I was able to visualize the numbers on the paper. 

Looking back now if I was my mom, I would have drawn four lines or shapes next to the math problem like this: 

O O O O 

Then I would mark out two O’s and ask my second grade self how many there were left after I took two away. 

O O 

Then I could visualize the four minus two problem and I would learn how to do the strategy myself. Now, I do not blame my mother for getting frustrated with me back then because we were both frustrated. She was frustrated that I couldn’t grasp the concept no matter how many times she explained it, and I was frustrated because I didn’t know why or what I couldn’t understand and I didn’t know what to tell her. We both finally learned when my second grade teacher enlightened me on the wonderful world of math! 

You see, I wasn’t able to grasp 4 - 2 = 2 because I lacked the intelligence. I couldn’t solve the problem because my brain developed differently than my older sisters, and I needed a different strategy to match my intelligence. Based on the Gardner Multiple Intelligence I believe that second grade Molly was a  Spatial Visual and Bodily- Body/Physical Intelligence. I was able to grasp the real world strategy that my mom used with the pencils, but I needed to learn a strategy to draw something next to the problem. 

I am telling this story so that all teachers will understand the importance of teaching math in different perspectives. Do not just think that your way of learning math is the only way. Do not be afraid to let your students learn in their own unique ways. Encourage their ability to solve problems and help them discover strategies that work for them. 

Source: http://go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.do?sort=DA-SORT&docType=Article&tabID=T002&prodId=AONE&searchId=R3&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&searchType=AdvancedSearchForm&contentSegment=&currentPosition=19&searchResultsType=SingleTab&inPS=true&userGroupName=txshracd2499&docId=GALE%7CA68759699&contentSet=GALE%7CA68759699&authCount=1&u=txshracd2499

Know The Shepherd's Voice

Last night on my running adventure at Veterans park I randomly met a 4-month old sheep named Precious and woman from Kenya! I love sheep, mainly because it reminds me of myself and how much the Good Shepherd loves me. 

 I learned something about sheep last night from Precious' owner. Sheep aren't all that dumb like people say they are. Sheep are actually very smart and they have a good memory! 

People say they're dumb because they just follow their Shepherd blindly and they wander off and fall down a lot. But Erin (the owner) was telling me how smart they actually are. Sheep are very easy to train (easier than dogs), and when she has to go get Precious from the forest on their land it's better for her to follow the sheep on the way back than to lead her because the sheep remembers how they came. Also, Erin said that when she calls for Precious she will come to her. 

The sheep learns to listen to the Shepherds voice, and Precious was beginning to recognize her name! 

The sheep doesn't blindly follow the Shepherd. The sheep follows its Shepherd because the sheep trusts the Shepherd to take care of them. 

The sheeps legs are made in a certain way that when they fall it's hard to get back up. And if a female sheep is pregnant and falls on its back then she can die. The sheep needs help from their Shepherd. 

This reminds me of my time in Moldova in 2011 when I saw a Shepherd running to the end of his herd to help the ONE sheep that had fallen. Even though the Sheperd had the rest of the herd still following him, he cared about that one sheep falling behind and he went back for him. 

That's why the sheep learned to trust the Shepherd and to listen for their voice. The sheep chooses to follow the Shepherd because the sheep knows the Shepherd cares for the sheep. 

We are like sheep. Our actions may look like we're dumb but we are not. We are just wandering sheep that want to go our own way. But when we get ourselves into trouble, whether by falling down, getting caught in a snare, or being prey for a wolf, our Good Shepherd comes to our rescue every time because He cares for us so deeply! And He wants us to learn his voice so we don't wander away next time and to learn to trust Him. 

That's why I love sheep. It reminds me the love of my Good Shepherd and to learn to know His voice. 💙🐏

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

John 10:27 ESV

Change Is Good

Today was the last day of work and school at the ECC. Even though I didn't have my own classroom I can proudly say that I learned a lot  these last 9 months. I was exhausted at the end of the week but I was crazy enough to get up and do it all it over again. I made more mistakes but I learned that I can do better. Whenever I doubted of ever becoming a teacher God reassured me in the simplest ways. 

Today during after care while the kids were eating their snack, one of the little girls (let's call her EGB) came up to me with a frown. She has done this many times this year when she was tattling so I was not sympathetic at first. But when I asked her what's wrong REAL tears appeared in her eyes when she said, "Miss. Molly, I don't want to leave this school!" 💔 

I picked her up and put her on my lap as she explained to me that she's going to kindergarten at another school in the fall. At first I was heart broken too because I wanted to see her next year in our kindergarten class, but I knew that I had to show EGB that a new school was exciting! 

So the other teacher and I talked about how much fun she will have meeting new friends and teachers, and she smiled SO BIG when I told her that she'll probably have her OWN desk with her name on it! What once was a thing to dread she now saw the excitement in the unknown. That got me thinking about how I am with God. 

I like change but not at first. When my normal gets a little turbulence I try to hold on with all my might so things don't change too much. But God always knows what's best for me and his children. He knows change will be for our good if we would just trust him. That's how I got the job at the ECC last September and how I finally let go of the 4 years I spent at the YMCA. Change had to happen so that I could grow. God knew that. It just took me some time to fully believe it. And now 9 months later I am SO GLAD that I did change jobs because I would have missed out on all the blessings of meeting so many different people at the ECC and the lessons and adventures that came with them. 

In my life and in the last 9 months I have learned this to be true; I don't know what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future. And He is good! 

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28 ESV 💙