My autumn resolution

Today, at team meeting, we got to talk about having a "Autumn Resolution". I started, like everyone else, with a New year's resolution. But like most people do, I lost tract of that. We get so caught up in our present circumstances, in our emotions, that we lose sight of the goals we give ourselves. So I decided to get an Autumn resolution. I've never had one before and I'm sure I won't succeed in all of these but I like the challenge. So here's my Autumn resolution:

1) Study hard on Chinese

2) Start school ASAP

3) Focus 100% on Kinmen {be it at the orphanage, at all my schools, at Bishan village, my driver, my friends, or just a stranger. Get to know their story}

4) Learn to paint & draw

5) Learn to cook

6) Run back to my first love: Jesus Christ. {Fall so deeply in love again that no one & nothing will ever matter; so I can learn to stand firm in my belief & trust in His word.} 

7) Support any event held to raise awareness for sex slavery & human trafficking. 

8) Memorize the book of Ephesians in Chinese {whoa! I said it!}
9) Excel in ballet & karate class

I just don't want to lose sight of why I'm here in Kinmen, Taiwan. I don't want to focus so much on my own life & have spiritual myopia. I want to focus on those around me that haven't heard of Jesus. What happened to Bruce & his accident, really helped me realize that these kids aren't just students I need to control in the classroom but they are also souls in need of a Savior (thanks Cami for sharing that!). I am so used to being impulsive & having the "lo que sera, sera" mentality but that never works. I want to hand the reigns of my life back to God and let Him control my life. It's always best the way anyways. 

John Piper says, "Paul says that the fulfilling of the resolve is "by his power." {2 Thess. 1:11-12}. That's what we are depending on. That's what we are looking for when we resolve. We are looking to Jesus who promised to be with us and help us. If you depend on your willpower, your name will be glorified. We believe that by grace alone we have been "called"- that is, captured by the truth and beauty of Christ. We resolve things not to make God be for us, but because he is already for us-- that's what his call makes plain. He is totally for us. So pause sometime soon. Pause and examine your life this autumn. Examine what is missing that should be there. What is there that should be removed? What new dreams for ministry might you venture? What new habits do you want to build into your Fall schedule?"

All good questions. 

Words of Wisdom from my Daddy....

{This post is going to be bilingual.}

Life has been different here in Kinmen. I have 2 new schools & two of my favorite schools were taken away & are now being taught by new English teachers. I have a new team. I'm meeting new people & there are new ministry opportunities coming up. It's only been two weeks since the semester started but I can already tell that this year is going to be a fruitful one. Satan has tried to discourage us (especially me). I have been sick for a while now (doctor said it's asthmatic bronchitis.) But among all this going on, I want to keep trusting my Heavenly Father. 

"Change is the only constant" Is a quote I heard recently & it's true. We don't like  it, and "Heck yes!" it hurts. But man, oh man! How we need to be changed constantly. Satan can rock my boat but in God I will always stand firm. Nothing will move me. Even when I doubt. Even when I hurt. Even when I want opposite to God's will, I will always just trust in Him. 

As I was going through my e-mails, I found an un opened e-mail from my father. It was sent to me on my birthday & in it was a list of advice that makes an intelligent woman. It was as though I was suppose to open that e-mail today. This minute. What has been true in my life recently is that God always gives His answer to our questions at the right moment. His moment. He always makes a situation clear, when our mind is all clouded up with anxieties or doubts.


Here is what it said:

• Dios creo las citas para que las mujeres puedan descubrir las caracteristicas negativas de un hombre antes de involucrarse con el, NO DESPUES. {God created dates for women to discover the negative characteristics of a man before getting involved with him, not after.}
• Si siempre vuelves con el hombre equivocado, tal vez no tengas la oportunidad de conocer al hombre correcto. {If you always come back with the wrong man, you may not have the opportunity to meet the right man.}
• Las palabras "Te quiero" no salen con facilidad o rapidez de la boca de un hombre sincero. {The words "I love you" do not come easily or quickly from the mouth of an honest man.}
• Todo hombre que no sabe "lo que quiere" no merece lo que tiene. {Any man who does not know "what he wants" does not deserve what he has.}
• Toda mujer debe tener el valor necesario para alejarse cuando no la aman. {Every woman should have the courage to step aside when she is not truly loved.}
• Toda mujer debe saber como enamorarse sin dejar de ser ella misma. {Every woman should know how to fall in love while still being herself.}
• Toda mujer debe saber como intentarlo todo y cuando alejarse. 
• Tiene que entender que no puede modificar el ancho de sus muslos o sus caderas, o la forma de ser de sus padres. {You have to understand that you can not change the width of your hips or thighs, or how your parents are.}
• Toda mujer tiene que entender que su  niñez  pudo no ser perfecta, pero que ya termino. {Every woman needs to understand that her childhood may not be have been perfect, but it's over.}
• Toda mujer tiene que saber lo que podria hacer por amor o deberia o no hacer.
• Toda mujer debe saber en quien confiar y en quien no. {Every woman needs to know in whom to trust or not.}

I love that my dad is always going to protect my heart. That no matter what happens between he & I, his prayer will always be that I become a virtuous woman, "rama fructifera", prepared for conquering this world for God through His strength. This being said, I miss you, papi.