Once, Twice, Three Times A Baby

      Today, by the grace of the Father, I helped another friend deliver a healthy baby girl.  This was the hardest and scariest delivery yet.  There were times today when it looked like both mother and baby's lives were in danger.  I told my friend everything would be fine, but in my head I was freaking out.   I was in way over my head.  And soon all these thoughts started to consume me: I'm not qualified to do this. What happens if the baby dies?  Will the family blame me? What should I have done differently? And just as the inner panic was starting to reach fever pitch, that oh-so-familiar, still small voice spoke into the maddening roar.  I was reminded of time after time in the Word where it says Father worked in situations so that He might be glorified.  And I knew that no matter the outcome, Father was at work in this situation to display his glory to the uttermost.  Several hours later as I was looking at a beautiful baby girl, I pr*y*d that my friends would see Father's hand at work in the events of the day. 
        People here have the custom of whispering the name of their god in the ear of a newborn baby, but today that little girl heard the name of the True King.  Ask Dad that this precious child would one day place her trust in His Son, the One True King. 

O Tannenbaum, O Tannenbaum

Okay so really it's more like O Christmas Fern, O Christmas Fern., but I really think the rest of the song applies. For example, the green branches are lovely and delightful.  Plus, it does give me so much pleasure, and it fills my heart with music.  So there you go... different kind of tree, same sentiment.  I especially love this tree because it was given to us by some really great friends.  I'm so thankful for this thoughtful family who constantly does things to make D and I feel loved.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

This is my first Christmas away from home.  It's weird to be in a place that doesn't have trees on every corner and where the radio stations aren't blaring the holiday tunes.  I actually keep having to remind myself that it is even Christmas time.  So that's a little weird.  But it's good too because it has helped me keep my mind on what the season is really about.  D and I decorated the ole homestead this past week.  It looks pretty good if I do say so myself.  We don't have a lot of decorations, but the few lights we have go a long way to making the place a little more festive.

So much to be THANKFUL for...

Okay so my Thanksgiving post is a little late in coming.  I'm going to blame it on the tryptophan in the turkey. :)  Here it is though - my Thanksgiving list.  *Disclaimer: This is not an exhaustive list.  Items are listed in no particular order.
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God is Enough

God is Faithful.  He has never left me alone. 
He has never left me on my own.

My Family, especially George, Rose, Sister, Matt, Seyan,
 Lyds, The Deuce, and Baby Gumby

Worship music that never fails to lift my mood/thoughts

Wise people who speak truth into my life

Nothing is wasted

The Word

A great high priest who has gone before and makes intercession for me

 People who are faithful to write me every week - Thanks Martha!

Everyone who has sent packages, gifts, letters, pictures, etc.  Mail Rocks!

Grace, Faith, Hope, Joy, Mercy, and Peace

Skype

The Internet and email

 A great partner: D-Rock

A crazy, big, supportive team

Opportunities to use my nursing skills

Local friends who genuinely want to spend time with me

People who show me grace with language

Clubs that are faithful to ask for me

Friends back at home who make the effort to keep in contact with me...

  A special shout out to Mires, Johansen, Pinks, and T

Cool Weather
Air conditioning when the weather isn't cool

Good Health

All of my physical needs are met

Milk that doesn't taste 100% awful

This opportunity to live here and do what I do

Trials and struggles that refine me and teach me more about the Father
He is Worthy

VACATION BABY!!!!!

I just got back to my city after a week of vacation with my family.  My whole family met up in Hong Kong.  It was awesome!!!!  Not that I'm biased or anything, but I think my nieces are the three cutest and smartest little girls ever.  I loved playing with them, reading to them, and spoiling them at every possible opportunity.  It was hard to say goodbye.  It might make my homesickness a little worse for a couple of weeks, especially with the holidays coming up, but I am trying to just be thankful for the time we had together.  I am so blessed to have such a great family. 

Father thank you for giving us this time together. 

Thank you that you are with me everywhere I go. 

Lord teach me to be content in all circumstances. 

May you be my home.

Here are some pics of the vacation.  Don't you think these girls are ridiculously cute?!!!

Then pealed the bells...

    So I confess.  I listened to Christmas music today. I was a sad and needed a little cheer me up so I indulged despite my roommate's insistence that we can't have Christmas until we have Thanksgiving.  But I'm glad that I went for it because while I was listening to one of the more often looked over songs, Holy Spirit reminded me of something.  Recently I've been wrestling with living in comfort and affluence while children next door are living in filth and squalor.  I was becoming discouraged thinking the injustices too great.  I was becoming overwhelmed thinking the task too big.  But through an old Christmas carol, Holy Spirit reminded me of what I had overlooked in the equation.  The Father. The Lord works righteousness and justice for those who are oppressed (Ps 103).  He does does not tire. He does not sleep (Ps. 121). 
         He executes justice for the oppressed and  gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free, the LORD gives sight to the blind, he lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves those

who live justly. The LORD watches over the immigrant and sustains the fatherless and the widow,but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.  (Ps 146:7-9)

God is not obvlious to the hurt, injustices, poverty, disease, and pain in this world.  He is not unaware.
 I'm thankful that this is the kind of God I serve.His Kingdom Come.

Here are the lyrics to the song.  Hope they encourage you as they did me.

And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men.”

The Times They Are A-Changin'...

I haven't used my air conditioner in over a week.  This is definitely a huge change from my first 6 months in this country.  The weather here is finally nice enough that I'm not in a full-body flop sweat all day and night.  I am really enjoying the nice weather, and I am trying to be outside as much as possible.  It's not as nice as fall at home as none of the trees actually change color, and there is no candy corn or football here, but still...it's pretty nice.  Thank you Father for the beautiful weather.