through Him who loves us

Fall/Winter Newsletter 2011

2011-12-31T02:58:00.002Z

Fall/Winter NL 11

CAN December 2011 Newsletter

2011-12-28T04:08:00.000Z

CAN December NL Part 1

CAN December NL Part 2

CAN November Newsletter

2011-12-04T10:34:00.002Z

CAN November Newsletter

CAN Christmas Cantata 2011!

2011-12-04T10:30:00.000Z

Many thanks to Erin Johnson for designing our 2011 Christmas Cantata poster!CAN Christmas Cantata 2011

CAN October Newsletter

2011-10-11T12:29:00.000Z

CAN October Newsletter

Walk the Talk

2011-10-10T09:33:00.000Z

Firstly, apologies for blog neglect! Looking forward to expanding the blog once I finish my graduate program in December... woo hoo!

So, I've been using The Skit Guys "You Teach" curriculum for our middle school youth group Bible study time. I've never met anyone who didn't like The Skit Guys, but I've been encouraged by the conversations these videos have stirred with my students. I watched this video twice yesterday and our discussion was fruitful in that it hit home with the students... but it also hit home for me. "Is that really any better?" Hmmm...

Family Photo!

2011-09-18T14:54:00.002Z

After a 3 hour hike and still lookin' beautiful! :)

Love your job!

2011-09-02T04:35:00.000Z

I've traveled a long road to finally be in a place where I understand what God has willed for my life all along. My parents taught me from early on that you have to do what you love and love what you do. And I LOVE my job. One of the greatest parts of my job and doing ministry in Asia is the ability to aid our brothers and sisters in Christ of partner churches in their mission to grow the Kingdom. This fall I am leading a service trip to Manila. We will be focusing on children's ministry putting on a VBS program and working in an orphanage. This trip has 11 spots open... please be in prayer for the individuals who are considering being a part of this great service opportunity and how God will work through us! :)
CAN Philippines Service Trip

Malia's Big Day

2011-08-31T00:41:00.001Z

She gets spayed today! Now I won't have to worry about her running off with any of those bad boy dogs in the cemetery! :)

The Beautiful, Imperfect You.

2011-08-23T15:16:00.002Z

Looking for a new book?
Check out this great read our CAN book club is currently delving into...

Who Do You Trust?

2011-08-22T14:20:00.001Z

I'm SO excited about our new Children's Ministry curriculum at CAN, What's in the Bible? Our official Sunday school year started this week and the kids are thoroughly learning and enjoying the quirky characters that teach about the Bible. And I'm a firm believer that these videos are beneficial and fun for all ages. Enjoy!

Since I've been gone/back

2011-08-18T09:55:00.001Z

It's not new for me to blog about transitioning. I'm fascinated to observe how this community flexes and adapts to a continually transitional lifestyle and in turn how I have become a very similar creature.

This week school began and a sense of normalcy for the year is being set. So, what have I been doing this past month in my quest for normalcy?

-Writing "Thank You" notes to all my generous partners in ministry! (if you've haven't gotten yours yet... it's in the mail!)

-Finishing my summer graduate courses. Family Life Ministry and Sexuality and the Family. A lot of reading, writing, and overall learning. I have two more classes this fall and will GRADUATE in December.

-Helping lead CAN's 'PandaMania' Vacation Bible School. Check out the photos here.

-Organizing curriculum, materials, and volunteers for our education programs at CAN... starting this week! If you haven't already, check out what we are doing for children's ministry here.

-Publicizing all CAN has to offer to families new to Hong Kong and HKIS. Check out our new website here. Friend us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.

-Furnishing and equipping our newly renovated middle school youth room. New middle school programs start this week!

-And most importantly...Hiking, chasing, and playing with Malia!

God is good, all the time.

CAN Fall Educational Opportunities

2011-08-15T13:30:00.000Z

CAN Fall Children & Youth Education Opportunities
CAN Fall Adult Education Opportunities

The Hand that Holds the World

2011-08-13T03:27:00.003Z

Yet I am always with you;

you hold me by my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever!
-Psalm 73:23-26

The Fall in Hong Kong is always challenging because it's essentially a new beginning every year... School starts, new families move into town, and we take a deep breath as we once again attempt to start from scratch!

We find strength in knowing that God walks beside us, holds our hand, and guides us along the journey!

Please continue to keep the ministry of Church of All Nations and Hong Kong International School in your prayers!

June/July Newsletter

2011-07-31T00:23:00.002Z

June/July Newsletter 11

Where all things meet

2011-07-20T03:52:00.001Z

I'm currently finishing up all of my last minute tasks as I prepare to return to HK (or at least begin the return trip!) tomorrow. I always find myself feeling very melancholy the last few days before I leave to head back to HK. It's hard to walk away from my family, friends, and people who support my ministry knowing I probably won't see them again for another year. I am thankful for the time I've had home this summer... even though it has flown by! This song comes to mind as I head "home" to a place that is unlike anyplace I've ever known. However, I find myself constantly thinking about the day when I won't have to be torn between two different places... the place where all things meet.

I'll take you down the only road I've ever been down
You know the one that takes you to the places
where all the things meet yeah

Happy Birthday, America!

2011-07-09T13:09:00.001Z

I was blessed this week to still be in the US for the celebration of this great country's independence! In Flagler County, the 4th of July is the biggest holiday of the year. Here's coverage from the local newspaper, The Palm Coast Observer. I had a blast spending the day with my family and catching up with friends. 235? That's something to celebrate!

Erin and I pre-parade.

Discovered the game of "corn-hole" and of course my brothers (+JReg) played great music all day. Note: JReg is wearing his tie-dyed "I got creative at The Art and Soul Studio" shirt!

Miss Flagler County winners riding on a tractor for the parade.

Was it hot? Weather like this I prefer to just call SWEATY! Thankful for ice cream and popsicles throughout the day! And yes, that is a Dirt Sundae... gummy worms and all! ;)

Fundraising Fun...

2011-06-28T14:24:00.005Z

...okay, that's not an entirely true statement.
Being in Florida is fun? Yes. Eating dinner with my family? Yes. Going to a clean beach? Yes. Striving to raise an amount of money that seems unattainable? Not fun...

This is my fourth summer fundraising as an LCMS missionary. I remember back to the summer before I left for Togo in 2008... My goal was around $12,000 which at the time was a little under what I made in a YEAR working at Starbucks and Bath & Body Works! I was SO determined! I held every kind of fundraiser possible... bake sales, car washes, dog washes, every home-party model imaginable... And I raised all my money plus some extra in around 3 months. I remember being in my parents kitchen and crying with my mom humbled that God had made a way for me to reach this seemingly unattainable goal.

Fast forward 12 months (in which I lived a very simple life in West Africa) and I'm back in Florida fundraising to teach in Hong Kong. This time with a goal of around $20k... apparently living in Hong Kong is a little more expensive than Togo. ;) I had a little under 3 months between Togo and Hong Kong which gave me MANY opportunities for more fundraising events. This time around I once again embraced the home-party model (they are fun and I don't have to do the majority of the work...), friends who owned an awesome sushi restaurant gave me 10% of their proceeds for an entire month, and on 4th of July weekend my family and friends helped me sell Starbucks iced coffee in the blazing hot sun. Along the the iced coffee I also made HUNDREDS of fans with my beautiful face and information on them to give out at the annual 4th of July parade. It was exhausting! God in His goodness and grace provided and I left for HK in August with over 80% of my funding in place.

During my first year in HK I tried to convince God that I was done being a missionary... more specifically I was done fundraising... All schools in HK are required to have a NET (Native English-speaking Teacher) and so I began the process of the government application and finding schools who were seeking new NETs. Just a few days before I started to interview Pastor Greg Sawyer called me and asked if we could meet to talk about the church. At our meeting Pastor Greg asked me to prayerfully consider joining the staff of Church of All Nations as the Director of Family Life Ministry. Well, it was almost an immediate peace that this is what God had in store for me. The catch? I would still have to fund raise...

So, during the summer of 2010 (with only 3 weeks in Florida!) I made the rounds, went to lunch with church members, stood up in front of the congregation, etc. Labor intensive fundraisers? Those days were over. With only 3 weeks I couldn't hit the ground running with time consuming, exhausting fundraisers and enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I left for HK in August but returned in December to spend Christmas with my family but also to continue my fundraising efforts. Around April I reached the point of being "fully funded" for the year. Only 3 months before the year-end! ;)

And here I am again. I'm blessed this summer to be visiting two new churches in Florida. Thankful for mission-minded friends on the ground here! The fun in fundraising? The fun comes in telling the stories to ears that have never heard them. Adult Bible Studies love to talk about any mission experiences they've had... and it warms my heart to hear, "How could God use ME there?" To show a lively VBS group photos of children who live on the other side of the world... and who Jesus loves and cares for just like He does for them. That giant, looming amount is ever-present but I rest in the fact that He's holding it in His hands.

Thanks for your prayers for my fundraising and God's mission in Hong Kong!

The Art & Soul Studio!

2011-06-24T02:02:00.002Z

I am blessed beyond belief to have a few friends that have stuck by me through my missionary adventures overseas. Distance, time differences, cultural understanding, and life get in the way of relationships a lot of the time...

My friend and roommate Erin Walker has loved me and supported me unconditionally along this journey! After years of prayer, God has opened the doors for her to open her own art studio. Her studio will focus mainly on paint-your-own-pottery, mosaics, and glass fusion in the beginning. I'm blessed that my fundraising has brought me home during a crucial time in her new business venture.

While my main purpose is to be an encourager in all things, I'm excited to help in any way with a business that will be beneficial to a community that I call home. Please keep Erin and The Art and Soul Studio in your prayers! Especially for the pre-opening event this coming Thursday...

Your Love is Strong

2011-06-16T02:17:00.000Z

This song has been a great encouragement to me recently. I pray it also encourages you.

Heavenly Father

You always amaze me
Let your kingdom come
In my world and in my life
You give me the food I need
To live through the day
And forgive me as I forgive
The people that wronged me
Lead me far from temptation
Deliver me from the evil one

I look out the window
The birds are composing
Not a note is out of tune
Or out of place
I look at the meadow
And stare at the flowers
Better dressed than any girl
On her wedding day

So why do I worry?
Why do I freak out?
God knows what I need
You know what I need

Your love is
Your love is
Your love is strong

The kingdom of the heavens
Is now advancing
Invade my heart
Invade this broken town
The kingdom of the heavens
Is buried treasure
Will you sell yourself
To buy the one you've found?

Two things you told me
That you are strong
And you love me
Yes, you love me

Our God in heaven
Hallowed be
Thy name above all names
Your kingdom come
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us today our daily bread
Forgive us wicked sinners
Lead us far away from our vices
And deliver us from these prisons

April/May Newsletter 11

2011-06-06T13:18:00.003Z

April/May Newsletter 11

Sporadical!

2011-05-31T01:22:00.000Z

I realize that I haven't blogged in over a week... My April/May newsletter is still in the works so I am overdue for some decent communication... Sorry! : / It's strange that some months I am spot on about communicating and others I seem to get lost whatever is the priority of the moment. Life here is just so sporadic!

I feel like I'm constantly "counting down" to something happening or being over and then when it's over or past, something else seems to pop up. This week is HKIS graduation. While I'm wrapping up things for the school year, I'm also needing to continually remind myself that unlike other youth leaders with their HS seniors... it could be a REALLY long time before I see them again. Many families are also moving away from Hong Kong so it's a constant realization that when I come back in July, my world will be a different place.

It's not easy to be a stable member of a sporadic, transient community. But, I guess it helps that I'm sporadic in my own quirky ways... and that the Lord works through them! Please be in prayer for these families, this community, and how God is working through CAN as we are dispersed all around the world for the summer.

Photos from the past week...

Malia now weighs 34 lbs! She'll be staying with the Scheiwe family for part of the time I'm gone. I think it will be good for her to be around 2 little girls that have as much energy as she does!

Birthday cake for one of my Sunday school girls. Castle with towers, stairs, and flowers? A princess birthday dream come true...

Taran Eisig Scheiwe! Isn't he beautiful?! Born Saturday May 28th to my friends and co-workers in the Lord, Joel and Iantha. They are also the family that is dog-sitting Malia... so grateful for good friends!

HKIS Baccalaureate Service. Allyson (towards the middle, in the purple) is one of my awesome youth and she planned the whole thing! Here they are singing "When You Believe" from Prince of Egypt.

God's grace in summer teams...

2011-05-20T11:44:00.000Z

Last week I posted a PDF about the urgent need for missionaries in a few places around the world. I want to continually encourage you to pray about people you may know who would be a blessing as a 1-2 year missionary... In the same way, my roommate, Lynette, is in charge of the short-term teams that come to Hong Kong... which we are also in need of.... Hmmm it seems that there is ALWAYS a need for more workers. In fact, LCMS World Mission's recruitment slogan comes from Matthew 9:37...

"The harvest if plentiful but the workers are few."

It's hard to always remember that this is a good thing alongside being a challenge... We NEED more workers because Christ name is being sought after. How cool is that!

In thinking about this need for workers, I am also reminded that in just three weeks LCMS World Mission Hong Kong will be welcoming an 8 week summer team of four people. The ministry of this team will center around end of the year Gospel camps, English teaching, and relationship building within the Lutheran Church Hong Kong Synod (LCHKS) schools and churches. Last year HK had a summer team (of 8!), in fact last year, because Lynette's position didn't yet exist I helped as the liaison between the LCHKS and the team... It was also the first year HK has hosted a team for such a long period of time! Bumps and bruises were experienced along the way... but in praying for the 2011 team and their ministry, I've found myself going back to read through the blogs of the 2010 team...

Wow. What an incredible group! I encourage anyone who reads my blog to read through Kristen and/or Laura's blogs to get a better insight on their experiences last summer. And in turn, please be in prayer for God's work in Hong Kong, especially the 2011 summer team that will arrive 3 weeks from tomorrow.

If you read anything, make it Laura's Top 10 Things I learned in Hong Kong.

City Perks Part 3: Groupon!

2011-05-18T05:56:00.001Z

One of the downfalls of Hong Kong is that there are SO many great things to do, see, and eat but a good portion of them are quite pricey and I'm a missionary so my funds are limited to survival items for the most part... However, life has changed in the last two months thanks to GROUPON finally arriving in HK!

Groupon basically talks to companies and gets them to set a discount price for an item, meal, or service and then sends a daily e-mail out advertising these deals. You can pay with a CC or through Paypal and you are in turn given a voucher to redeem said deal. Easy!

My friend Katie use to live in Atlanta and reveled about the awesomeness of Groupon when I was home in December. I also saw people post things on FB and Twitter and was insanely jealous that they were all saving money on awesome things while I was sitting at home in HK eating ramen and pinning over the awesome things within 20 minutes of my house...No longer!

Last night I went to Jamtastic! to paint a cup and a piece of canvas. Groupon Price: $89HKD ($12USD). Freedom to be creative and not think about work for 3 hours? Priceless.

I am thankful my Palm Coast roommate is opening The Art and Soul Studio in Flagler so all you Floridians can experience this goodness!

Yesterday I bought a haircut. I NEED a haircut so badly. Yet, my cheap self has denied my hair the opportunity to be restored to glory because well, I just do not want to spend the money. Organic salon for haircut + bonus treatments and a gift certificate? $158HKD ($20USD) Check this place out: Green Touch

Today I bought an organic, vegan happy meal from Sprout. Vegetarian food is expensive everywhere but in HK it is mega expensive. Set meal? $29HKD ($3.75USD)

Thank you Groupon HK!

DISCLAIMER: One of the deals today is lasik eye surgery. I DO NOT recommend discount surgery...

City Perks Part 2: Museums!

2011-05-16T14:17:00.001Z

Okay, so there are definitely museums in places other than cities. Why, even Flagler County has TWO! The Flagler Beach Historical Musuem and the Florida Agricultural Museum. Thrilling! ;)

However, it comparison, Hong Kong has 29! Last year I got to experience a few through field trips with the local schools and a few when my mom visited. But the list goes on and on and there are always new exhibits. Today I visited the Hong Kong Museum of History with a friend who had never seen the main exhibit before. It's called "The Hong Kong Story" and basically starts with volcanoes forming the unique land formations found here to modern day HK. In between, there is a lot of history that I feel I might have NEVER known if it hadn't been for this collection of artifacts and information. I could visit every few months and learn something new!

Not everyone loves history and museums like I do but with 29 variety's you are bound to find something that you like!

Cities are chocked full of museums that are filled with information you might not find (or find interesting!) any place else.

Some of my favorites?
The Henry Morrison Flagler Museum - Palm Beach, FL
The Art Institute of Chicago - Chicago, IL
Biltmore - Ashville, NC (Okay, this isn't a city but it is a super cool museum!)

City Perks Part 1: HK Magazine

2011-05-11T13:10:00.002Z

Before coming to HK my jaunts in cities were always short-lived less-than-a-week (I guess technically West Palm Beach is a city, but I never really left campus to go anywhere except to see my relatives soooo...)

City life is tough mostly because there is SO MUCH STUFF. And it's hard to determine what good/bad, fun/lame, important/unnecessary, etc. It can be seriously overwhelming! Thank goodness for my iPhone and the fact that I can Google on the go otherwise I would totally be exposed as being completely out of the loop. To make this city even better, we have the world's greatest city magazine! While often content can be applicable to visitors, this magazine is MADE for residents. HK Magazine makes living in Hong Kong all the more awesome. Restaurants, events, classifieds, movie reviews, etc. In a city of 7,000,000, I love a magazine that is applicable to me and my life in HK!

In the US? Check out the awesome-ness online. But, beware it will increase your need to visit.

HK people if you didn't already know...
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/HK_Magazine
FB: https://www.facebook.com/hkmagazine
You can pick up the newest edition on Thursdays in almost any restaurant, coffee shop, or bar on HK Island or in Kowloon. You can also subscribe to have a digital version sent to you to download on your iPhone or iPad. Yay tree saving!

Best of all? Chocked full of helpful, useful info? and it's always FREE.

Urgent Need: More Missionaries!

2011-05-08T22:50:00.000Z

GEO Needs

Food = Fuel!

2011-05-08T10:35:00.002Z

Some of you know that I have chosen to live a pescatarian lifestyle when it comes to eating habits. I get a hard time from the committed vegans and vegetarians that I know but there are reasons behind this choice...

I gave up meat (beef, pork, basically anything with four legs...) when I was a freshman in high school. I had taken up running cross country and being 5'1" I needed some kind of advantage over my fellow super model sized teammates and similar never-ending-leg competitors. So, I talked to my coach and he suggested that I restrict my diet to only lean meats. I never really loved meat so this was not a huge sacrifice however, it was a pain in the neck for my family and friends. I don't know if it was the elimination of meat, but I did get faster and eventually ran in the 5th varsity spot. Looking back, I'm happy to boast over 10 years of avoiding those saturated fats that are the main culprit in the battle against heart disease in America.

Moving on to college... like most young vulnerable 18 year old girls, an open cafeteria is an open invitation to eat your feelings...and I must have had a lot of them. I think I had a chicken finger sub for 6-8 of the meals I ate every week my first semester... along with a lot of other greasy, gross junk food. Blech! I frequently felt terrible and started to experience major stomach issues. At the same time, I had a friend in HS that had adopted a vegetarian lifestyle with her mom and was preparing to commit to being a vegan. She took the stance of health and abstaining from the cruel ways that animals are slaughtered in the US. After reading a few of the papers she had written and doing some of my own research, I decided to adopt a healthier lifestyle that would not include meat along with poultry (chicken, turkey, etc.) as a new years resolution, January 1, 2004. I maintain this resolution because of the cruel, uncleanly ways that poultry especially is raised and slaughtered in America. I won't post any detailed videos or articles in this post, but if you are curious there are thousands of things to read, watch, and discover. But, a fair warning... DO NOT google 'poultry cruelty' unless you are prepared for what you might find. Also, the effects that mass producing animals for consumption has on the environment will take your breath away...

Within the first month of being poultry-less, I immediately noticed a change in not only how I felt but also in the decisions of what I would eat. When you eliminate the main ingredient in 75% of the meals you eat, it forces you to truly evaluate what you are putting in your body. Shortly after this decision, I was told the story of a co-worker who bit into a tumor in a chicken sandwich from Wendy's... if there was ever going to be a temptation it died after I heard that story (gory details are not included). Gross...

I have been anemic since I can remember the first time I tried to give blood... loads of spinach, other leafy greens, iron supplements, etc. can't seem to help my lightweight blood. This is one of the reasons that I still eat seafood. I'm great about taking my vitamins, supplements, and drinking protein shakes but I feel quite "fragile" if I go too long without a large protein enriched meal.

In West Africa, I basically lived a vegetarian lifestyle. I probably ate a few tuna sandwiches but all other fish had to travel WAY too long to be an edible option. Moving to Hong Kong, this culture is ALL about the food. I can't count on both hands the number of 3-4 hour long meals we were blessed be a part of. Hong Kong is also famous for it's seafood... sitting down with important church and school leaders and rejecting the celebratory steamed fish they are so excited to share with you isn't really an option. In the same way, the majority of vegetarians in HK are Buddhist. It's almost impossible to go to a non-vegetarian Chinese restaurant and find any food that hasn't been at least cooked in meat broth and/or flavored with small pieces of meat. I throughly enjoy the Buddhist vegetarian Chinese food that I have experienced but it is definitely not a healthy option... Greasy veggie dumplings and gravy soaked noodles are delicious but not an every day option! ;) So, while a pure vegetarian lifestyle may still be on the table... it won't happen until I am back in the US where braggs, extra firm tofu, and veggie burgers abound!

More recently, I don't know if it's the heat coming back in full play but I notice a significant difference in how I feel when I eat anything with refined sugar. Cookies, cake (a chocolate chocolate muffin this morning...), soda, ice cream, chocolate, sugary cereal, etc. Maybe it's because I am getting older? I skip the whole "sugar high" and go immediately into a state of "sugar low". Blah! It's super terrible. Solution? I'm sticking to fruits for my sugar and leaving that refined junk to the kiddies who still have the ability to quickly recover from that yucky feeling.

For Lent, I fasted cheese. Man, that was hard. Definitely affirmed what a pain in the butt I would be to friends and co-workers if I was a pure vegetarian or a vegan in HK. My roommate Lynette got me an Easter basket full of cheese to celebrate breaking the fast. Tummy ache for a WEEK.
Lesson learned: Moderation!

I've been thinking a lot about food lately in trying to figure out the refined sugar mystery. One of my HS youth this year is a vegetarian which is nice except that she really should be deemed a "fruititarian" since 80% of her diet is fruit. ;) My mother has also committed to stints of vegetarianism throughout my journey... But, more recently my brother Shea has adopted a vegan diet. He gets major props because well, I love milk, yogurt, cheese, and especially butter (If you know my mom... I am my mother's daughter when it comes to butter!) and I can't see myself ever being able to give up dairy regardless for my week-long cheese tummy ache...

I love food. Food tastes good. But, it's important to remember that food was created to be fuel!

Websites to learn more about a pescatarian lifestyle...
Everything Pescatarian
Health Benefits
LIVESTRONG.com on a Pescatarian Diet

Friday Fun!

2011-05-06T15:22:00.003Z

Today was a fun day. Even though I am currently fervently chugging along to finish my independent study course work by Sunday... my job continues! Today was especially nice because I got to hang with two of my favorite groups... 5th grade and our HS youth. I also ran into some of my middle schoolers at the movie theater... coincidentally just in time for them to take our picture. ;) I am so blessed by the diversity of my job but also the creativity it allows.

Tomorrow... The IS course work crunch gets serious; God's goodness shown in helping me become a better servant. Today... God's goodness shown in the variety of awesome relationships and programs I get to be a part of! He is good!

5th grade chapel.

Rio 3D with HS youth... we also ate quesadillas and nachos to set the mood!

Think about it

2011-05-06T01:08:00.003Z

'Cause I have to potential to be the guiltiest
My greatest strength is also my greatest weakness

Divine Inspiration

2011-05-05T03:15:00.000Z

My job is unique in that no one has ever done it before. The biggest challenge is that there has been a need for this position for a few years now... So, there is no shortage in opportunities to minister! :)

There are few areas that I have felt called to but time and resources haven't allowed for... However, this week God has worked mightily to meet me with some of these needs. I'm always in amazement when God works in such obvious ways. It always feels like His will becomes a wall and the moment you run into it... you are steered His direction and equipped with the people and resources to do the ministry He inspires.

That's DIVINE INSPIRATION!

Happy International Labor Day!

2011-05-02T14:41:00.003Z

Yes, folks that means another public holiday! :)

Though May 1st is technically the date for International Labor Day, since it fell on a Sunday today was the 'holiday'. It's strange to have a holiday two Mondays in a row. I was totally thrown off last week and I'm sure I'll be thinking I'm a day behind every day this week as well! ;)

Today I was blessed to tick some things off the to-do/need list...

-Take Malia for a long hike: This one is difficult because it is getting HOT so we have to get up early so we don't die of heat exhaustion... but we did it this morning and she was GREAT. It's pretty neat to watch her become a better behaved dog every day! ;)

-Returned clothes to H&M: The line for the fitting room is ALWAYS a mile long at H&M, so I've resolved to just buy things and bring them back if I hate it or it doesn't fit (Disclaimer: I am not high maintenance but Asian clothes are often somewhat unique and my American-ness cannot always pull it off... plus I am not very fashion savvy!)... but I actually have to GO to the store to return things so...that's always the hard part.

-Spent the majority of the day with my surrogate HK family: I REALLY missed my own family, especially my dad, (this weekend was his 50th birthday party) so it was really nice to just relax, have a delicious ENTIRELY vegetarian 3 course meal, play board games, and just talk about life...

-Put my winter clothes away: There is no sense in sweaters being in the running for the half-hour long "What am I going to wear?!?!" debate every morning now... Man, it's warm!

-Wrote another draft of my new fundraising letter: The least favorite part of my job, but important for me to stay on the field! God is so good and has graciously provided support these past three years and I know He is with my on this next year's journey as well... Prayers are appreciated!

I am finishing my spring semester classes THIS Sunday! Moving right along...

Ah, productive days feel nice! Thanks May Day! ;)

What does it sound like

2011-04-30T13:52:00.001Z

New worship song I heard for the first time at Resound last night.
Let it come...

The Stairmaster

2011-04-25T16:18:00.003Z

There is a quote I've heard before that says "If your dog is fat, you're not getting enough exercise!" Well, my dog is certainly not fat... and because of her I do believe I am a healthier me.

Before Malia the majority of my exercise existed on the treadmill or elliptical machine. Nine months out of the year it is wicked HOT in HK and the pollution makes running outside quite the laborious task. These were my previous excuses for containing my exercise to indoor activities...

Mid-January enters Malia... and a giant spike in outdoor activities.

In my post describing Aberdeen I mentioned that we have a pretty stellar country park near our apartment. On days when I am able to spare a few hours, Malia and I go exploring on the different hiking trails. We've found some great places with ranging levels of difficulty so depending on how we are feeling we can go easy or challenge ourselves.

Today we explored a new trail... and for the very first time made a wrong turn. Our wrong turn took us down 500 stairs... I only realized the mistake when we had reached the bottom. OUCH! So, we turned around and began to ascend the stairs back up the mountain. Now, there are stairs all over HK. All the schools I have worked in these past two years have had at least six stories each... But after an hour of hiking (mostly uphill), 500 stairs can be somewhat brutal, but not for this girl...

Malia, the Stairmaster!

BTW: My dog is pretty amazing!

Easter Celebrations!

2011-04-24T13:51:00.000Z

He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia!

This morning we celebrated at Church of All Nations with an outdoor contemporary service, breakfast buffet, egg hunt, kids carnival, and a traditional festival worship service.

Here are some highlights from the our day of celebration...

You've made my heart...

2011-04-23T12:34:00.006Z

...in grace to stay
This week has been long and hard... I am zapped.
However, Easter still awaits...
This song always helps to remind me that even though I need to weep and pray for all the thousands ways that I have failed Him just today...

I can celebrate the thousand ways that He always shows me grace.

Not just another day

2011-04-22T15:59:00.001Z

Public holidays in HK are highly sought after. Many (most) people with regular jobs work six days a week (Monday-Saturday). Children have tutorial classes and academic programs also on Saturdays. Sundays are truly the day of rest in HK. On any given Sunday, it is very difficult to be seated at any restaurant, the country park is full of BBQ's and hikers, and the malls are overloaded. Public holidays are basically "extra Sundays" to most HK people. There are a total of 17 public holidays throughout the year and they are greatly cherished.

I remember when I was young and going to school in South Florida that often we would get holidays like Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah off. It was pretty neat because it was like a "free" day off outside of the weekend and teachers could not assign extra homework because it wouldn't be fair to the Jewish kids who actually had to be with their families or at temple all day. When we moved to up to North FL when I was in 5th grade, we lost the luxury of living within a large Jewish population and only got the 'regular' days off. Boo hoo.

Since living in Hong Kong I have lost some of the regular American holidays (Martin Luther King Jr., Presidents Day, 4th of July, etc.) but have gained SO MANY... Because HK is such a diverse place we are given traditional Chinese holidays (Lunar New Year, Mid-Autumn Fest, Dragon Boat, Ching Ming (Grave Sweeping) etc.), Chinese government holidays (National Day, HK S.A.R. Establishment Day, etc.), Buddhist holidays (Buddha's Birthday, etc.), and the days I find myself most grateful for, Christian holidays off from work!

Today is Good Friday. Today is a public holiday in HK. Tomorrow is the day after Good Friday, Sunday is Easter, and Monday is Easter Monday. These are ALL public holidays in HK. I can remember in my childhood that Spring break sometimes coincided with Holy Week or being excused from school to walk the stations of the cross... but many people, most people went on with their daily lives like it was just any other Friday. For the next 4 days people in HK are off of work, kids are out of school, and an entire city of 7 million people is made aware of the celebration of Jesus' death and resurrection because it's not just another day...

The Last Days

2011-04-21T16:42:00.001Z

One of my goals over the season of Lent has been to blog everyday. I am not the greatest pen pal and I often have difficulty keeping up with everyone so I set a goal to blog everyday until Easter and hope to continue to be inspired to write more regularly...

I was not able to write during my trip to Yunnan because of lack of internet access and I thought about pre-writing the blogs but it just felt like a lie and what if something happen to me and I'm still posting blogs? Too strange. However, when I sat down to write this morning I realized that I totally MISSED yesterday! I felt a small twinge of defeat being three days away from Easter and being so committed only to forget! : / Oh well.

Today marks the celebration of Jesus' last supper. It has been a particularly interesting Lenten season by teaching a variety of ages and using different resources. Through chapels, lessons, and Sunday school I have taught and experienced the story of Easter in many different ways over the past few weeks. As these last days are upon us I pray that the story of cross would continue to touch hearts in need of hope.
Abide in us, Lord.

I see LOVE

2011-04-19T13:40:00.000Z

I recently used this video in a Grade 5 chapel and it's really stuck with me.

I see LOVE.

A taste of America

2011-04-18T16:00:00.000Z

Hong Kong is very western and as such we have a lot of Western food items available at the grocery stores. However, being a former British colony most of the imported Western items come from Europe, Australia, or New Zealand... And then there's Gateway...

Gateway imports only American items (mostly in Costco/Sam's Club sizes). It was mind boggling to visit last year especially since we lived in a very local community with few actual American items. The catch? It's a wee bit expensive and without a car in HK super sized items are mighty hard to bring home. Today the trip was focused on large quantities of candy for CAN's Easter egg hunt on Sunday along with jelly beans to tell the Gospel story. Alas, I am apparently late to the game because all jelly beans are SOLD OUT. DOH! Sad day.

I will continue the search for jelly beans tomorrow fueled by my other purchases...

-A&W Root Beer: 12 cans/$68HKD~$9USD

-Reese's Mini Peanut Butter Cups: 2 small packs/$27HKD~$4USD

-Honey BBQ Sauce (the best condiment for fake chick'n nuggets!): 1 bottle/$38HKD~$5USD

Home, SWEET!, Home...

Forgetting my grace

2011-04-17T15:26:00.000Z

I remember when I was a little kid that my grandfather would always joke about how my middle name should have been 'Grace' because I was so klutzy. I never truly understood it when I was 8 years old but boy oh boy did those days come back to haunt me today!

-Handing out hymnals in church: coffee tips over and spills all over the hymnal rack!

-Unsuccessfully split up a fight in Sunday school (which I am usually very good at!) that resulted in upheaval for the remainder of the morning

-Running for the bus: tripped over my sandals and fell on the cement. Skinned knees and hands hurt way worse when you are 25 years old...

-Walking Malia: she accidentally yanked me and we both fell into a puddle on the sidewalk

Needless to say, I was without my 'grace' today. However, as we prepare for Holy week I am thankful that despite the entire sanctuary smelling like coffee, wet hymnals, bloody knees, and wet bottoms... God's grace never gets left at home! ;)

What? No Dragon tattoos?!

2011-04-16T12:33:00.000Z

Today was the "World's Fair" at HKIS; the spring fundraiser for the PFO (Parent Faculty Organization). You might remember that in October Church of All Nations sponsored a children's outreach before Pumpkin Festival to alleviate the childcare needs of parent volunteers. We were invited back to help but this time is an aspect of the fair itself. We were stationed at the 'Tattoo Parlor' where we pasted temporary tattoos on children for over 4 hours. All the booths were named after movies and so we were called "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and a large poster of a dragon tattoo was placed above our booth... however we had NO dragon tattoos which caused some upheaval but many were satiated with a ferocious T-rex instead. ;) While we were tattooing we also took the opportunity to talk to parents about the activities CAN will host on Easter Sunday between our worship services. I am very grateful for all the CAN volunteers that came out to help and hopeful that some new families will join us next Sunday!

Children's Ministry '11-'12

2011-04-15T00:12:00.001Z

This is the new curriculum Church of All Nations will be using for children Age 3 - Grade 5 for the 2011-2012 school year. Check out this trailer to the newest DVD. Also, check out www.jellytelly.com! :)

Violet Hill

2011-04-14T04:37:00.000Z

I am not usually an early riser... or a night owl. God made me to cycle with the sun. I'm all sunshiney when the sun is out and slowly enter sleepiness when it leaves. However, I have committed to teaching a HS Senior Bible study on Thursday mornings at 7 so I am out of bed by 5:30am and out the door by 6am every Thursday (I miss the sun dearly!). This morning I woke up stressed out because I had a paper to finish before 1pm along with BS and a commitment to take an early morning hike... BAH! I proud to say it's 12:30pm and all has been accomplished! Amazing, huh? :D

My friend Jessica and I climbed Violet Hill this morning. We didn't know we were going to hike Violet Hill but we did. I'm feeling a little like a super hero because the website claims 3 hours and we totally booked in 2 hours and 20 minutes. We also got to see ALL of Hong Kong Island. God is good!

On top of the world...

King of fruits?

2011-04-13T14:28:00.001Z

So, I had been having some tummy troubles and my week in rural China exacerbated the issue. Oi! I was blessed by the students and teachers in Deze but the food... not so much! :( Along with the warmer weather appearing this past week, we have also been bombarded with DURIANS!

Excerpt from Wikipedia: "The smell [of durian] evokes reactions from deep appreciation to intense disgust, and has been described variously as almonds, rotten onions, turpentine and gym socks. The odour has led to the fruit's banishment from certain hotels and public transportation in southeast Asia."

Truly folks, it is BANNED on trains, buses, and planes in HK... it smells THAT bad. I personally believe it smells like a combination of rotten cheese and cat urine... No good for a girl recovering from rural China tummy!

King of fruits? Not in my book...

SAR of Mind

2011-04-12T15:06:00.003Z

Okay, so most of you know that I LOVE Hong Kong. It's diversity, culture, cuisine makes it (in my book!) one of the greatest places in the entire world. A friend posted this video on Facebook today and though the singers and lyrics are a little goofy... the visuals are pretty good. Now you're in Hong Kong!

"Concrete jungle where we eat dim sum..."

Yunnan EFL Service - Deze Middle School

2011-04-10T09:43:00.001Z

Instead...

2011-04-04T03:40:00.000Z

Your eyes are closed when you're praying

You sing right along with the band

You shine up your shoes for services

There's blood on your hands

You turned your back on the homeless

And the ones that don't fit in your plan

Quit playing religion games

There's blood on your hands

Instead let there be a flood of justice

An endless procession of righteous living, living

Instead let there be a flood of justice

Instead of a show

I hate all your show

Give love to the ones who can't love at all

Give hope to the ones who got no hope at all

Stand up for the ones who can't stand at all, all

Humbling song that shuffled through this morning... I'm headed to Yunnan province on a service trip for the next 5 days with this song on my heart!

March Newsletter!

2011-04-03T15:19:00.002Z

March Newsletter 11

Anti-Senioritis

2011-04-02T15:38:00.000Z

It's April! Which here in Hong Kong means our first few days of BEAUTIFUL Spring weather. Granted, a giant rainstorm could clear out this NASTY pollution... but for now I'll take the sunshine. It just feels so gosh darn nice when you walk outside!

Spring is here and high school graduation is only 9 weeks away! Though it somewhat feels like the school year has just begun, it is quickly approaching it's end. I've gotten really close with a few of my seniors... whose futures are so bright! A lot of them have received their final college acceptance letters this week so reality is setting in. I'm so sad to talk about them being spread far away all over the world next year, but am so blessed to have been a part of their lives!

Today, please pray with me for this generation and the impact of their gifts & talents all over the world growing the Kingdom!

Tiny Homes, Big Ideas!

2011-04-01T12:34:00.004Z

Awesome video on creative innovation. Making the best of tiny HK apartments! Thanks for sharing, Susan Johnson!

The foolish woman

2011-03-31T12:24:00.000Z

Recently my parent's had some landscaping done on their backyard. My mom doesn't believe in chemically treating grass (or anything else in nature!) so they had a lot of natural stone put in and indigenous plants into the grassy areas. The entire blueprint of the backyard was planned around one oak tree which was planted when our house was built. It's about 15 years old! In photos throughout the years you not only see myself and my brothers grow but also this very tree! As the landscaping was finishing up while I was home over Christmas my mom daydreamed about one day having grandkids climb in this tree (maybe 10 years from now...). Alas, despite all the harsh Florida thunderstorms storms, tropical depressions, and even hurricanes... yesterday one took this tree down... the middle that is. Split in half!
My mom deemed herself "the foolish woman who built her backyard around a tree".

In looking back at what Jesus says about being foolish, the best way to be wise is to be in the word! One of Church of All Nations most recent collaborations is an initiative called "You've Got The Time, Hong Kong!" It equips people to listen to the entire New Testament in 40 days through the ministries of Faith Comes By Hearing. It's been encouraging to me to take on this challenge during lent... a truly special time to be daily engaging His word in a new way. God is always working!

These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock.
But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don't work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards. -Matthew 7:24-27 (The Message)

Sick Daze

2011-03-30T13:16:00.000Z

For almost the past two weeks I have been battling what I'm pretty sure is a mild case of food poisoning. I'm somewhat frugal when it comes to spending money and last week realized that I had eaten one too many leftovers past the point of no return. That's kinda gross but nothing with blue mold on it... just the secret bacteria that hides in a seemingly delicious Tupperware of noodles...In determination to cure my tummy woes, I started on Culturelle and daily pro-biotic yogurt to help realign the delicate balance in my stomach. So far so good...

Lynette came home last Tuesday feeling like she was getting a cold which grounded her to the couch for 3 days straight. I started Zicam and Emergen-C overload to fight off the germs in our house... Alas, I went to bed early last night with the aid of some Nyquil and woke up this morning feeling like death was knocking on my door. With the aid of modern medicine, I have gotten a little work done and a fair amount of sleep in. I should be back to normal in a few days (at least I hope so since I leave for Yunnan province on Monday...)

But, what I really hate about being sick is the daze it puts you in, where time passing doesn't matter because you can't get out of bed anyway and your head is so heavy that every time you lift it up you feel you'll be stuck there forever! Luckily, I have some assignments due at noon tomorrow so the daze can't keep me down...

Lamma, Lamma! 南丫島

2011-03-29T15:16:00.001Z

One of the great things about living in Aberdeen is the easy accessibility to so many places! The only thing AB lacks is an MTR stop... which is okay with me because I would much rather sit on a bus than be jammed up so close to people I don't know who may or may not have neglected to use deodorant today... : /

We have a ferry pier on the harbor that has ferries that go directly to some of the outlying islands. There are also sampans, which are like water taxis, but they are quite costly if you look even slightly foreign. ;) After work this afternoon, we took a ferry over to Lamma Island and hiked across (Sok Kwu Wan to Yung Shue Wan).
Photos from today and fun facts about Lamma...

Lots of boats! We even witnessed a Dragonboat practice today as we were leaving.

Lamma is EXTREMELY dog-friendly! There are dogs everywhere... they are also welcome in most of the restaurants with outdoor seating. We had a great seafood dinner and Malia chewed her rawhide with jealous eyes. ;)

Lamma is also known to be full of "hippies". Because of the extra room (in houses and in general), people who live on Lamma can have small gardens, lots of animals, and a more "laid back" lifestyle than people who live in the heart of the city. Minus the convenience of always having to rely on ferries, call me a hippie because I'd love to live here!

There are no vehicles allowed on Lamma. These are the bikes lined up on the ferry pier waiting to be picked up as people make there way home on the ferry from downtown.

The Desk Mess

2011-03-28T15:02:00.000Z

If you know me, you know that I am a fairly organized person. I have a lot going on so I need to know where everything is at all times. However, since my most recent graduate class started I cannot seem to clear a space on my desk. Over the past few days, multiple papers have been branded with coffee mug rings or crumpled under the computer. It is increasing frustrating for me to have a mess but every time I try to clear off the desk and make room a new army of papers march right on in. Solution? Bigger apartment to fit a bigger desk! :)

Abide With Me

2011-03-27T15:21:00.001Z

At our traditional service we have been closing with verses of this hymn. This is a beautiful song that greatly depicts our journey to the cross this Lent!

"You have to live in HOPE!"

2011-03-26T13:41:00.001Z

So, we have finally made it home from our 2nd (and last!) day at the Rugby Sevens. WOW do I feel old! Two long days of rugby... I think we watched at least 20 matches in total! It is definitely one of the most unique events in the entire world!!

Unfortunately, Lynette lost her camera along the way. :( We made a lot of new friends but they all were always surprised when we told them that we were missionaries. It sparked some great conversations... it's interesting who God places in your path!

One of our new friends, Tarin, is originally from England but had decided to take a year off of her job to teach in Tokyo. After watching many people leave in panic after the earthquake and tsunami, she decided to leave and come to Hong Kong at the recommendation of the British Embassy about a week ago. We met her last night and were fortunate to run into her again today. She LOVES rugby and both days she scored FREE tickets. She continually commented throughout the day about how lucky she was and how today was the best day of her life. She is one of the most enthusiastic souls I have ever met!! Lynette was bumming about losing her camera and Tarin in an effort to cheer her shouted as we left "You have to live in HOPE!". Hmmm... it's true! You have to live in HOPE... the hope that only Christ can provide! Thankful for Jesus, new friends, and SLEEP. Zzzz...

Hong Kong Sevens

2011-03-25T03:15:00.002Z

Rugby is a big deal in Hong Kong. HKIS has a team and I experienced a live rugby match for the first time this fall. One of my youth lives and breathes rugby and got us tickets for this year's Hong Kong Rugby Sevens. We've only heard stories but it seems to be described as Halloween meets FIFA World Cup. :)

Her new favorite

2011-03-24T16:16:00.001Z

Every once in a blue moon I get a package from my mother. There are very few things you CAN'T get in Hong Kong... you might pay an arm AND a leg for it but it's here. However, when you have an awesome mom who will make trips to stand in terrible lines at Wal-Mart and the post office you can have the best of both worlds that comes in those little items (Exception: Barqs root beer which you cannot get in HK nor can it be shipped... so sad!). Today we got a package!

Usually, I know what the packages will contain because I have requested it or ordered it myself. This one in particular contained SB coffee, vitamins, facewash, something for Malia... usually there is always something extra or special like chocolate or power bars... you know, because I'm their favorite daughter...

Today's package...

For Megan:
Coffee (to share with Lynette...)
Facewash
Vitamins
Bills (gee, thanks Mom...)
St Patrick's Day Card ("We think of you... as the gold at the end of our rainbow! Love, M & D")

For Malia:
Skunk toy - 2 squeakers inside!
Pheasant toy - 2 squeakers inside!
Two GIANT bones
Raw hides
Peanut Butter biscuits

We all know whose the favorite now...

What comes first?

2011-03-23T15:11:00.001Z

I'm in my 4th semester as a graduate student at Concordia University Nebraska. I really love my program and the flexibility of my professor to finish 95% of my course work via distance learning and independent studies. Major blessing! I struggled a bit last year, my first year in HK... in West Africa I spent a fair amount of my free time reading through dozens upon dozens of books...it was awesome. I love reading and reveled in the 10 months that I could read for pleasure and switch from children/youth fiction to adult biography as I pleased... however, teaching in 6 different locations every week allotted a LOT of lesson planning last year. I was looking forward to my classes this year because I would actually be actively using my degree! I was offered a job that I didn't expect to have until after I finished the program... Cool beans, God! Alas, I find myself in a constant battle this semester with prioritizing work/school and/or school/work... I am busy with my job and building relationships takes lots of time... but I need to get the most out of these classes so I can be better at my job in the future... how am I suppose to have fun at youth group if I am thinking about my quiz that is due in 2 hours that I haven't finished the reading for... I know I need margin and space for God to work... but... What comes first?

feelin' not like yourself?

2011-03-22T16:09:00.002Z

Today Malia had to have an operation on her ear. She had a hematoma that had been growing in size for the past few weeks... two weeks ago I was told that if it wasn't removed then her ear would continue to grow and look deformed. :( I debated slightly because she was due to be spayed in a little less than two months and would rather put her through only one traumatic experience, unfortunately do the risks of early spaying I decided against it... So, last night and this morning she was not allowed to eat... and this dog eats like nobody's business!... and even before we got to the vet she just didn't seem like herself. They took her away and she cried... but she was happy when I came back in the afternoon! However, with a cone on her head and still feeling the affects of the anesthetic... our walk home was also very unlike her... being scared of people and stopping in the middle of the sidewalk... We arrived home and after some deserved petting and love, I started working on the computer... and she cried at me from the bed until I finally picked up my computer and got in bed next to her... she's a big baby!

It got me thinking about how even when I don't feel like myself, it's so much easier for someone who knows you to help you get through it... I feel like recently there have been a lot of situations that have called me to step out of my personal comfort zone into roles I've never played before, while these situations often leave me feeling not like myself, I am comforted knowing God is there and He knows me even when I don't feel like myself...

Aberdeen!

2011-03-21T15:19:00.002Z

Hong Kong is a big, diverse place! Some of you may remember descriptions of our area/flat last year in Tuen Mun. However, this year we live on the southside of Hong Kong Island in an area called Aberdeen. In Chinese, Aberdeen is called "Little Hong Kong". We love the mix of the local and ex-pat community, our dog-friendly building, the harbor, and the country park just up the hill!

Our building!

We can afford our apartment mostly because directly behind our building is the Chinese Permanent Cemetery. Many local people choose to not live near cemeteries.

View from Aberdeen Country Park on an evening hike

Malia in the park!

Aberdeen Harbor! Aberdeen to the left, Ap Lei Chau to the right.

On our way home from church on Sunday, we ran into this parade including an awesome lion dance. We asked many people but could not figure out why the celebration... Aberdeen has many older adults that nurture the local religions. So we think this is probably a celebration of a non-public holiday.

Welcome to the Lord's table!

2011-03-20T03:58:00.001Z

Congratulations to Samantha, Olivia, Sophia, and Ethan on their 1st Communion this morning! Please pray for these young believers as they continue their walk in the Lord!

baby Violet!

2011-03-19T14:13:00.003Z

In June 2008 I met my friend Jessica for the first time at LCMS World Mission orientation at Concordia University St. Paul. I was headed to West Africa and she was headed to Macau... A little over a year later we were reunited as co-workers in the Lord in the same field. Crazy, right? Woo hoo Southeast Asia! In October 2009 I got to meet the love of her life, Patrick... and today I got to meet their beautiful baby girl, Violet Anna Poon! :) Praise God for this beautiful new life!

Violet, just 5 days old.

Mommy Jessica, Aunt Megan (Violet!), and Aunt Lynette

The beautiful Poon family!

when it falls apart

2011-03-18T05:54:00.004Z

It's Friday! Usually weekdays and weekends blend together for me... my job is one that requires me to work on a variety of days. I usually take Monday to sleep in and wake up the earliest on Saturdays and Sundays for various activities. I usually don't mind it... but this week has felt like an endless week...

I am a shuffler. Seldom do I have the desire to listen to an album all the way through (the only exception being a new album... or extreme nostalgia...) and this particular song has shuffled through my iPod EVERY day this week. I feel it's divine intervention! Even though I'm pretty sure this song (like most songs by Matthew Perryman Jones...) is about a girl, it has an encouraging appeal to me...

This week a lot of things have fallen apart. One day I was even discouraged enough to throw a pity party for myself over a pint of ice cream... even though nothing that has fallen apart has technically been my fault (or catastrophic in case you were worried! :) I've been so confused because in some ways I truly saw how God was working in people and outreach... only for it all to fall apart. However, despite my feelings of failure and disastrous view of the situations, I know His wisdom has no bounds even though I may be blinded to where these roads will lead. I am thankful for music that touches my soul... particularly on weeks like this!

when it falls apart

the pieces fit

but you won't see it

til your blinded

you can let it go

or hold it tight

when you lose your life

you will find it

the problem with F

2011-03-17T09:56:00.002Z

Today was the first day of a high school senior Bible study I am leading as a sort of spiritual college prep course... at least I can contribute as much as I've learned along my journey and with the help of a book called Following Jesus into College and Beyond by Jeff Baxter.

I've recently started reading my books electronically on my iPad (thanks Mom & Dad!). It's convenient to "carry" all the books I need with me along with a connection to the internet... and it sure makes many bus rides and wait times more efficient! However, I've been increasingly frustrated with the misspelled words and grammatical errors in the Kindle editions of electronic books!!! In this particular book, the letter f is either in the incorrect place or missing in probably 30% of the sentences...

(Slightly Amusing) Examples:

On Honesty and Integrity...
"How important to you think honesty is? Is flying acceptable? Do your friends tend to lie?... Instead of asking the question, "What would Jesus think of me flying?" we lie almost instinctively... In your pursuit of holiness, I encourage you to ask yourself before flying, "What would Jesus think of my flying in this moment?""

Now, I usually read over the errors that aren't actual words... however, this mistake I was like "Where did I miss the example about lying to your parents about flying!??!" Grrr... I'm pretty sure Jesus feels flying is acceptable and thinks flying in fine... as long as you aren't LYING about flying...

On Belonging - friends, family, dating...
Questions to ask students...emphasis on dating...
"Where do It?" Errr... I DO NOT want to have that conversation! I've decided it should probably read "Where do I fit?" but, if a student were reading this book it could bring up an uncomfortable discussion in our college prep Bible study...

So, Amazon/Kindle, if I am going to pay you money for a book, you should pay the people that transcribe the books...

Yard-less

2011-03-16T04:42:00.001Z

Though Malia has only been a Birney for two months, she has experienced a life that no other Birney dog has ever endured. Her biggest hardship: she is yard-less. Sad day... But, much like myself she is adaptable! Since she can't bury her bones in a yard... she'll just keep them in her mouth at ALL times so they won't get stolen or lost. :)

hope & a future

2011-03-15T15:18:00.001Z

A reoccurring theme in my life is recently is that a number of my friend's are concerned about their future... and rightfully so. Numerous highly-anxious 20-somethings shouldn't be surprising considering the economy and the difficulty of finding a job that you love in a job market that says right now you should be satisfied if you get to deep-fry someone's chicken leg or make their latte...

However, I truly believe in the silver lining! Just as God had a plan for those in the Babylonian captivity (even though it was pretty terrible...) in the twenty ninth chapter of Jeremiah, He also has plans for us! In fact, plans to give us hope and a future... how about that! I often struggle with knowing the length and context of my missionary service, it's hard to let Jesus take the wheel... but God's plan has been the best way to use my gifts in the past three years and I truly feel a peace about the next three years especially when I look to this chapter and see that when we seek Him, He will give us a peace about the future.

Continue to seek Him, friends! :)

peace which passes all understanding

2011-03-14T16:27:00.001Z

Earthquakes are everywhere. Looking at this map of recent quakes...it's kind of crazy to think about how many of these seismic occurrences go unnoticed. It seems that the wrong place at the wrong time brings a whole different issue to earthquakes. In Japan, an island country, this huge earthquake measuring up to 8.9 on the Richter scale brought not only destruction of land but flooding from a tsunami and radiation poisoning from a disturbed power plant... along with countless aftershocks to keep individuals rattled and in fear. This combination of events became catastrophic killing thousands and leaving many homeless...

A few weeks ago there was also a fairly large quake in New Zealand... and Thursday a quake on the Myanmar border of China's Yunnan province. I am thankful that we serve a mighty, merciful God and pray for His healing and all these affected places...

As I have gone about my work these past few days since the quake in Japan, I have encountered a strange fear/anxiety among many people within HK and my community. I have heard that some people have even left HK for fear that we are next. (No worries, I don't think we're next.) It seems that when a number of disasters occur it is easy to forget that God is in control and let fear take a hold of our actions and emotions... I am leading a service trip to Yunnan province (the opposite side of the quake area) in the beginning of April and this morning had families call to cancel for fear of traveling... and earthquakes. I am disappointed and sad because this trip is a great opportunity and now some might miss out on His story...

I pray that the Lord would bring comfort and healing to those in need and to those whose fear has grown from these disasters... "the peace which passes all understanding" as we keep our hearts & minds on Christ Jesus. Amen!

To read first-hand accounts from LCMS missionaries/members living in Japan visit http://blog.lcmsworldmission.org/

To see before/after satellite photos http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/03/13/world/asia/satellite-photos-japan-before-and-after-tsunami.html?hp

Take me (as you found me)

2011-03-13T15:35:00.001Z

Anberlin in HK!

2011-03-12T16:21:00.003Z

My oldest friend

2011-03-11T06:14:00.003Z

Along my missionary journey, I've been blessed with many friends. Before leaving for Togo, I found myself in many conversations with older adults in my congregation who had known me for over 10 years... but as I was leaving for the mission field felt a calling to encourage my service through cards, prayers, and financial support. No longer was I seen as "one of the Birney kids" but stood on my own faith and call to serve... and made many new friends.

In preparing for the mission field physically, spiritually, and financially. We are even asked to read a book called "Friendraising" because in raising funds you are creating relationships with partners in ministry... Not everyone can serve internationally. As Luther says, we all serve the same spirit but in different circumstances, with different people, at different times. I am greatly blessed by many people who have committed to be my friends and partners in ministry...

My oldest friend and partner in ministry was Zo. When I was younger I remember walking down the aisle after communion and everyone stopping to hug or kiss Zo before they returned to their seat. Every Sunday she came into church looking like a movie star... always wearing a hat, cape, sparkling jewelry, ruby red lipstick, her embellished cane, and smelling like gardenias. It always brought joy to my heart to watch her emulate the love of Christ within our congregation...

Every time I was home on furlough Zo and I would go out on a date... Ruby Tuesday's is the happenin' place in Palm Coast and so that was always her choice. Even though I had gone to church with Zo for years, we became friends over our partnership in ministry. On one of our first dates Zo told me that she came to know Jesus through a televangelist when she had broken her ankle and was laid up in bed... when she was 60 years old! I was floored that a woman with faith of this caliber hadn't come to know Jesus until she was in retirement. Her story continues into sharing her new faith with her husband and together seeking opportunities to share with others. As a woman in her early 60s and a strong calling to share the Gospel, Zo took several mission trips to Russia to help plant churches. Wow... thinking back on our conversations brings a smile to my face. I am so blessed by Zo and her friendship.

Two months ago while I was home over Christmas break, we were once again at Ruby Tuesdays. We sat for at least two hours with most of our conversation revolving around her asking me different questions about Hong Kong and the church here. Her eyes lit up as she heard about how God opens doors to share His grace here... Yesterday God opened the door for Zo to enter into our heavenly home. I am sad to be missing my friend and the love and encouragement she has been for my ministry... but I'm overjoyed that she is in the arms of Jesus.

At 89 years old, she was my oldest friend. I am thankful to have her stories and joy still here with me.

What are you looking forward to?

2011-03-10T14:05:00.002Z

During my time in Togo, I had this desire to go back to school. I spent a lot of time talking to Glenn and Susan Fluegge and e-mailing program directors to figure out which program would fit my gifts in the realm of church work best... I applied to a few programs but settled on the Master of Science in Family Life Ministry program at Concordia University Nebraska. I started the program Fall 2009 and continue to take my courses via online or independent study. I have greatly enjoyed interacting with other church workers and the resources gained through the program... However, it's extremely difficult to balance work and school when work encompasses the majority of your time! :/

My most recent online class began this week with a new professor. She seems very knowledgeable but just from the syllabus I glean that this will be a different learning experience than my past 6 courses. In an intro post, she asked us to write about what we are most looking forward to in this course...Hmmm... keep in mind that I do love this program but I am also spending a pretty penny on classes while working so many hours on my job that I may not get the most out of some of my assignments. Most of my classmates also work full-time so I assume this is a common gripe. When I thought about what I was most looking forward to... my mind immediately shifted to this class being OVER. Ouch. :(

Alas, since Monday I've been thinking (in a positive light!) about other things that I am looking forward to...

-I AM looking forward to my program being over... but also being empowered with the knowledge to be the best Director of Family Life Ministries that God has enabled me to be

-To the school year being over and starting our church/school programs on a fresh slate with a better knowledge and understanding of our community

-The April family service trip to Yunnan province. Helping young children serve in a community needing hope for a future.

-To being FULLY funded... though I have a long way to go! ;) I am also looking forward to the encouraging conversations that happen during my time at home visiting friends and churches.

-To Easter, and the celebration of our risen Savior!

What are you looking forward to...?

February Newsletter!

2011-03-09T16:11:00.004Z

February Newsletter 11

beauty from pain, beauty from ashes

2011-03-09T09:51:00.001Z

Introducing... Malia!

2011-02-26T03:45:00.001Z

As some of you know, I LOVE animals. I posted many photos of my awesome cats, Rilo and Kiley, while I was in Togo. However, it's not as easy to have pets in Hong Kong. Lynette had a turtle last year and he met an unfortunate demise despite Lynette's through care for him. :( Considering my indefinite, but for sure lengthy, time in Hong Kong I started talking to Lynette about the possibility of us getting a dog. Our building is very dog friendly and I was too often finding myself talking to my parents dogs during skype conversations... So, after I returned to HK in January I was super dog-sick and an e-mail on a community site came through with a puppy in need of a home. Lynette and I both e-mail the person separately to get more information... I proposed the idea to her and she said she had already inquired and we knew it was meant to be! We arranged to meet this puppy and fell in love with her immediately. She was staying with a lady who fosters abandoned dogs. My mom won the name game with "Malia". It's a unique name and her Cantonese name is "Mah" which means horse... because she seriously is going to be that big! She has tripled in size in the 6 weeks we've had her. At almost 4 months old, she weighs almost 15 pounds! She has a very sweet demeanor and her biggest flaw is thinking that everyone who meets her wants to be best friends. :)

I am very thankful for her and the joy she brings! It's the best to come home at night to wagging tail. While we are still working on being completely potty trained and leash walking, she has mastered pulling all the fluff out of her toys and recognizing the sound of the cabinet door where her food is stored.

Below are some of my favorite/typical Malia photos...

January Newsletter!

2011-02-06T10:33:00.003Z

Sorry it's a few days late!
January Newsletter 11

It's Christmas Day!

2010-12-25T19:20:00.002Z

Nov/Dec Newsletter!

2010-12-21T05:16:00.002Z

Nov/Dec Newsletter 10

His is the star we follow...

2010-12-13T00:46:00.001Z

...LOVE is the gift we find!

Yesterday was the Children's Christmas Cantata at Church of All Nations. I have never played any part in a children's production so the whole process was a learning experience for me. Our cantata was entitled "Stars Tell The Story" as we went back and learned about the creation of stars, Lucifer the fallen star, God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would be more numerous than the stars, Jesus being born and the wisemen following the Bethelem star to find him, and His promise to return are the morning star. The kids had a GREAT time and I was blessed by their enthusiasm to not only participate, but learn about the stars along the way.

The animals! Sheep, donkeys, and a lone sleepy cow...

And there were shepherds in the fields.

And a great company of heavenly host appeared!

Our shining 'stars'!

Wise-people and King Herod!

Narrators and Soloists!

Cutest M & J I've ever seen!

Uh oh, the sleepy cow fell asleep.

The bright morning star.

Love these Scheiwe girls!

Stars Tell The Story!

2010-12-06T03:08:00.001Z

Once again, courtesy of Megan Kincaid.CAN Christmas Cantata 2010

H4H Rayong: Day 4

2010-11-29T02:05:00.001Z

We did it! For me it was definitely a good experience getting to know more of the student body. At HKIS, the community is so diverse that it's not an easy task to uncover it's needs. I was blessed on this trip by building relationships with individual students but also a better understanding of the whole. Thanks for your prayers!

Group photo!

We built this house!

Yay!!

Leveling out the dirt outside the house.

The grandson of the homeowners.

H4H Rayong: Day 3 R&R Koh Samet

2010-11-29T01:47:00.001Z

Habitat for Humanity International plans a "Rest and Relaxation" day amisdt the days of hard work. We went to Koh Samet Island. It was BEAUTIFUL!

Fish farm including sharks. One plank away from swimming with them...

Dinner at Koh Samet

Rugby in the water

The boat!

Snorkeling

Swimming!

H4H Rayong Slideshow

2010-11-27T23:39:00.001Z

H4H Rayong: Day 2

2010-11-27T00:49:00.003Z

Passing buckets of cement through the window frame

Who doesn't love coloring?

Cultural lesson! Origami!

It was SUPER hot!

Wire beams to support the walls inside the house

All the rocks we had to take OUT of the house...

Leveling inside the house

H4H Rayong, Thailand: Day 1

2010-11-26T00:55:00.001Z

The Homeowners.

Cement + bricks + SWEAT = wall!

Possibly the hardest job of the trip... Digging the septic tank!

After spending an hour hauling dirt off this pile and feeling accomplished because the pile was dwindling, a truck drives up and dumps a giant pile. Ack!

POMELO!

2010-11-24T14:33:00.001Z

POMELO! is my favorite thing about Thailand. Kinda like a grapefruit/orange except they don't get juice all over you. The joy of an orange/grapefruit MINUS the stickiness?? :) Though we do have pomelo in HK, it is almost always imported from Thailand...and not always fresh. Pomelos have a SUPER thick rind (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomelo) and though they are delicious, you have to be extremely motivated to actually split one open. To buy a peeled and sectioned pomelo like this in HK, you pay about $3USD. Ouch! However, in Thailand they are SUPER fresh, peeled, and cheap (20 Thai Bhat = $0.60 USD). They usually come with a little packet that is chili sugar. Thai style... spicy AND sweet! :)

Habitat for Humanity International: Rayong, Thailand

2010-11-22T15:08:00.001Z

Come tomorrow morning, I am on the road again! Back to Thailand but this time as a chaperon for an International Habitat for Humanity build in the Rayong area. 16 HKIS high school students, 1 HKIS teacher, and myself will take on a housing project for a family living in Rayong. It is interesting for me seeing that this will be my first time accompanying teenagers on a service trip that is not church affiliated. I am excited to see how God will work through this service and this great group of HSers! Thanks for praying. -M

Here's the H4H Thailand site: http://www.habitatthailand.org/

Rayong:

CAN Christmas Cantata Preview

2010-11-16T13:03:00.001Z

I am heading up my first Children's Christmas Cantata this season! We are telling the stories of the stars throughout the Bible leading up to Jesus birth. While I am overjoyed to play a part in a great retelling of the greatest story ever told, it is a busy time. Please keep myself, the parent volunteers, and the gifted children in your prayers over the next 4 weeks.

Fall Food Drive!

2010-11-03T13:10:00.001Z

Our AWESOME Asia Communications Specialist, Megan Kincaid, made this flyer for our CAN/HKIS upcoming food drive to benefit Bethune House. Please PRAY for our MS & HS youth as they prepare for this event and spread the word throughout our community!Fall Food Drive Flyer

October Newsletter 10!

2010-11-03T01:51:00.003Z

October Newsletter 10

CWEFT Service Trip

2010-10-31T12:57:00.001Z

During the Hong Kong International School fall break, a group from Church of All Nations took a service trip to do human care work at a UN Refugee Camp along the Myanmar border in Northern Thailand.

Concordia Welfare and Education Foundation - Thailand (CWEFT) is a sister organization of LCMS World Mission. CWEFT is an organization that helps to improve lives and the long-term outlook for underprivledged children and local communities in crisis through education, relief, and other services. We sang songs, acted out Bible stories, demonstrated simple health training, and played games with local Thai children and Burmese children within the refugee camp. Tension on the border because of the upcoming Burmese elections have sparked some fights. Looking back, we were blessed to work in the camp for the first day. That night fighting and fires erupted in an area of the camp so we were told we would not be able to return during our time in Thailand. We spent the remainder of our trip serving at Thai government schools and Hmong Lutheran Churches in the Tak Province. It was a blessing to work with CWEFT and to learn more the projects they are working on.

If you remember my trip with my mom to Thailand last April, we visited my friend (and now missionary alum to Thailand) Sarah at the CWEFT daycare in Bangkok where she taught. This service trip gave me an broader outlook into the big picture of CWEFT. It is a blessing to see how the local Lutheran churches are growing and God is working through LCMS partner churches.
Please pray for the work of CWEFT and Lutheran churches in Thailand!

CWEFT Service Trip Picture Album!

Pumpkin Season Sightings!

2010-10-22T03:08:00.000Z

In the beginning of October, with no pumpkins in sight, this squash became my Dilbert-esque chapel companion! The students were convinced he was a pumpkin. Hope I didn't maim their ability to identify vegetables for the rest of their lives... : /

HKIS Lower Primary Book-o-ween! In this photo: My friend Michelle with her 2nd grade class. The entire school dressed as their favorite book characters! There were a few Harry Potters in the crowd and though this is a super smart school, I am skeptical about HP being at any 2nd graders reading level...

This is actually the 2nd Halloween card I have received and we still have a week to go! Postal mail is so great and it makes me smile that people actually remember how much I LOVE this time of year! This card is from my grandmother and my other card, from my Nebraska mom, sings a KIDZBOP version of the Ghostbuster theme song. AWESOME!

Happy Halloweeny, friends!

A lesson in TIME management

2010-10-20T04:54:00.002Z

I am currently creating a seminar on time management for families for a class called "Family Resource Management". It's a bigger project than I had realized and Pumpkin Festival had mostly blocked out my entire last two weeks. Now here I am with a laundry list of things to accomplish before I leave for a service trip in Northern Thailand on Sunday... including creating a program to educate families on how to best manage their time and finally getting my watch fixed. How ironic! :)

Here are some words to live by I found in my research in regards to how we manage our time...

"The great saints of old learned the wisdom of having only two days on their calendars: today and that day (the day they would be with the Lord). If we want a heart of wisdom, we will learn to live each day in light of that day. When we daily remind ourselves of the purpose for our sojourn here on earth, we will cultivate an eternal perspective on time; and it will influence our work and all our relationships."
- Dr. Kenneth Boa

Pumpkin Festival Children's Outreach Photos

2010-10-17T14:16:00.000Z

Blog love

2010-09-27T14:04:00.000Z

I really love blogs. If I didn't have a continuous pile of work, I could spend my whole life engulfed in the everyday activities and insights of other people... and in some ways it all relates.

I find that most blogs are a unique glimpse into the perspectives and priorities of other people. Whether it be a copy of a letter written to your future children or the process of how rice is grown or your daily intake of food and exercise... it's all unique to each individual persons story.

For the past three years (since I started this blog...) I have had a NEW job... every year! Combined with my graduate courses, you could say I am becoming a professional learner. :) My new job is no exception and is quite the learning experience. I am somewhat the first of my kind within this congregation and community. I am constantly fascinated by all it's unique moving parts and am beginning to slowly become more comfortable with things that are unfamiliar... Change is inherently messy, but it can be good!

As Director of Family Life Ministries at Church of All Nations, my main job is to support the spiritual nurture of families. Different cultures, backgrounds, and stories truly make this congregation one that joins together nations. Taking the time to read through blogs and piece together the glimpses of different stories is a blessing to me as continue to learn the many stories of my new community.

To all you bloggers, thanks for sharing!

August/September Newsletter!

2010-09-17T02:00:00.001Z

August September Newsletter 10

Communication & Coffee

2010-09-15T04:32:00.000Z

Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee and just as hard to sleep after.

-Anne Morrow Lindebergh

Many Homes

2010-09-11T15:37:00.000Z

So I have been back in HK for almost a month now. It's strange because everything is SO different than when I left in mid-July. I live in a new neighborhood, have a new job, and am surrounded by so many new faces! As I continue to meet new people and get adjusted to my new community, I feel SO blessed to have two places to call home in Hong Kong...

Last year, we lived in Tuen Mun near most of the schools we worked with. Holy Word Lutheran Church was an amazing family to us between feeding us lunch every Sunday, making sure we got a weekly supply of desserts, and helping us make phone calls and appointments by avoiding our terrible, minimal Cantonese. :) They fervently prayed for us when anyone was feeling under the weather and lent a helping hand in any way possible, even storing our belongings at their houses over the summer (and HK apartments are TINY!).

This past month, Church of All Nations has amazingly welcomed me into the congregation as Director of Family Life Ministries with open arms. They have shown me the love of Christ through many kind words, delicious meals, and much needed household items! Hong Kong International School is also becoming a warm community as I begin to integrate into classrooms through chapels and spiritual learning opportunities.

In addition to these 'homes', I have the most incredible, loving church in Florida. My church family at Shepherd of the Coast has supported me in the most incredible ways over the past three years! I'm so excited for all the mission opportunities God has brought to SOTC recently. Please be in prayer for my mom, along with Pastor Bill and his wife Lisa as they prepare to serve on an LCMS Mercy Medical Team to Haiti in October. For more information click here, http://www.lcms.org/pages/rpage.asp?NavID=17508. You can also read Pastor Bill's blog here, http://padrebill57.wordpress.com/.

I praise God for His provision of my many homes, great friends and families, new and old!

Welcome Week!

2010-09-08T14:42:00.000Z

This past Saturday a Welcome Week Celebration was held at Church of All Nations (CAN). With the help of some awesome volunteers, I ran a family photo booth...

Here's a little piece of my HK family!

My HK roommate Lynette Lierman, who is now fully funded in her service as Short-Term Teams Coordinator in HK. She had freshly arrived on Friday and still volunteered! :)

Megan Kincaid, our extremely talented LCMS Asia Communications Specialist.

Michelle Cavalli, awesome LCMS missionary alum of Taiwan and Grade 2 teacher at HKIS.

Please remember these ladies and their different ministries in your prayers this week!