Microwave for Growth

Thank you for praying for us! Going overseas on this kind of trip is like God popping you into the microwave for some quick growth, and sometimes healing. This is something I wrote in my journal last Wednesday while sitting in a park in E.Asia, reflecting over the past week.
April 8, 2009

I Have Felt…
So in-tune with my Heavenly Father
So out-of-touch with reality
So carried by Him
So disciplined in love by Him
So grateful for Jesus, for His mercy, love, and grace
So lifted up above the filth and evil that exists in this world
So brought low by my own pride and selfishness that is that same sin
Totally broken
Totally healed
Extremely exhausted
Exponentially energized
Thankful for friends and sisters I have through Him who loves and adopts us
Ashamed of my own inability & unwillingness to love with humility
Waves of guilt
Waves of conviction
Tsunamis of grace and acceptance
The Holy Spirit fill and move in me with love and power
The vacancy of that same love and power due to my own pride and selfishness
My brain on fire with thoughts of Him and His word
My brain turned to mush that engulfs all my thoughts and leaves confusion
Anger that I cannot have my own way
Anger that I cannot control what others believe or feel
Sadness that people don’t know Him and don’t seem to care
Grieved that we live in a fallen, nasty place that will choose death over life
Joy that our God is the Biggest
Joy that He reigns, and it is never too late
Joy that nothing is too big for Him to forgive
Peace that He is with me. Even if no one ‘gets’ me, He does
Peace that we stand victorious in Him
Overwhelmed that He loves all people and He’s in every place and every time
Humility because I do nothing good on my own and without Him I am just dust
So glad that He holds the universe and I hold nothing

Grateful that because He loves me and adopted me, I am not alone, not misunderstood, do not need to worry, do not need to explain, do not need anything but what He can and does freely give me!

Shala

The Same Moon

The round moon I see tonight from my bedroom window is the same moon I gazed at yesterday from the 11th floor picture window overlooking a busy East Asia city. Hard to believe I have traveled so far around the globe in a few hours time. Just two days ago I fell asleep to the sounds of noisy traffic. Tonight I entered a quiet house at 2am to see sweet faces, hear familiar rhythmic breathing as I kiss each sleeping member of my family. Oh, I loved the adventure from which I have just returned. My heart is so full, I must unpack each experience with care. How happy I am to be at home as I sort through all I have seen and heard. It was a fascinating trip. God is alive and active in East Asia. In the days to come, we all will be sharing more of our experiences with you.