(xaris and shalom)

216.  journals 217. the start of a new week 218.  surprise cookies (not a rock!) and encouragement from Mel! 219. the enthusiasm and friendliness of the freshmen 220.  weekly lunch dates with Bridge 221.  functional plumbing 222.  friendship 223.  the Aupperlees ^_^ 224.  the meat market and the incredible jiaozi 225.  lesson planning with Mel 226.  the music of Heath McNease 227.  silk 228.  Romans 5:8 ~ But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 229.  waking up to a beautiful day 230.  everyone being back from CBS! 231.  Psalm 25:10 ~ All the paths of Yahweh are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. 232.  experimental dinners with Mel that turn out delicious 233.  Revelation 4:8 ~ Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come. 234.  lunch with Yetta and a taste of home-cooked food from Dalian 235.  Mel baking an amazing apple pie for Canadian Thanksgiving 236.  the b

It had been almost six months since I had heard from a particular student, when she had messaged me to ask what "walleye fry" meant.  (Why she needed to know this, I do not know.) And then she started a new conversation.  Defying all conventions of normal ways to begin a new conversation, she threw a full paragraph at me that was crammed with words like regret  and sins  and forgive and acquittal .  (Yes, her English is good.) Being ever-eloquent, I sent her back an emoji making a questioning face, because that was the face I would have been making at her if she had started a conversation like that in real life. So she clarified.   I wonder how to act.  the past is heavy and I cant help feeling weak. And I thought, Oh, child, you are so ready for the gospel. Chinese culture, no less than American culture, promotes a pulling-yourself-up-by-your-own-bootstraps "gospel."  And it's a lie that plays into human hubris so beautifully that it's very powerful.  When

(about half of my post-its, in no particular order) 1 John 2:25 ~ And this is the promise that He made to us -- eternal life. desiring God how You take what men meant for evil -- and turn it to good teammates and life together hanging out with Hilary Jeremiah 29:12 ~ Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will hear You the holiness of God getting to talk one-on-one in the office with Julie Danielle asking good q's during O3 (and doing it outside!) Timge being an American on this 11th anniversary of 9/11 the awesome dinner & movie night with Kelsey & Tempestt sharing truth and laughter with my team the solemn ceremony of convocation at Huawai toothpaste 2 Cor 1:4 ~ ...who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction rock scrambling everything in Thailand being new Your promises that are fulfilled beyond our wildest expectations Sundays full of rest students who are late to their final because they got