Whoa?! Batavia schools closed??!!?? Including Marmion? And CDC in Oswego school districts?
This swine flu business... we can't quite comprehend it cause it's very far from us.
But please wash your hands. Be careful. Cover your mouth with your sleeve when you sneeze or cough. Don't breath in other people's faces.
Peace and a vaccine for swine flu soon.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
State of the Union
Church life has been picking up here in Shanghai. I've been super busy leading worship for the church and especially the House of Prayer. it's been a major blessing to lead worship for the SHOP. those of you who have lead worship before might feel the same way. when you finish leading worship, you are just completely wiped out...i mean, blanked in all ways, emotionally, physically and even spiritually many times. (depending on the culture of the Spirit - i just made that term up, copyright.$$$$)
BUT whenever i lead worship for SHOP, as i always tell Mai Kao, i come away blessed and filled with the Spirit. the closest form of worship to that which we will one day have in heaven is one that is Prayerful. when the people of God learn that worship/prayer go hand in hand the culture of the Spirit (in your particular gathering) will change from one boredome (lets face it, many of us are extremely bored of attending church, b/c well frankly put, its boring, God is not moving!) and going through the motions to one of service, to one of exhililaration, being blessed and seeing and hearing the Living God move. dont get me wrong, there are times when i dont want to go, but God always shows me i was wrong. He is so good. Amen?
Life at school...
teaching has become really fun. Mai Kao has always been an educator of sorts, but myself? not so much really. I finally feel as if i am able to control a class. I can stretch a lesson plan out if i need the time or i can come up with cool games on the fly if need be. its a fun and challenging job. if you love relationships and young people teaching is where its at.
Mai Kao and I...
You all need not worry about Mai Kao and I. We are doing well...actually, to be honest, we have never been better relationshipwise in our short time together. I love kissing her goodnight and coming home to a big hug. i love walking the streets of Shanghai talking to my best friend about anything candidly. I love that she spurs me on towards being a passionate lover of God. Man, God is truly good.
sometimes i look at my life and realize that i have it so much better than other people in this life. lately, i have not been taking that for granted. God has been putting a heavy burdon on our hearts to serve him in ways that demand more from us...in fact, demand all of us for little or nothing in return. we wont reveal yet what this is, as we are still awaiting word from the Big guy if this is really what he wants us to do. But i mean this is bring tears to your eyes heavy (in a good way of course).
I had a dream once where i saw a picture of two starving children in Africa and in that dream i fell to my knees and started travailing for the children of Africa...i started crying uncontrollable because God had shown me his heart for these people and showed me how much his people are hurting, both physically and spiritually. later on in that dream i told God that i would do anything for him and so in that dream God tells me to jump off my balcony...so what do i do? i listen to Him of course, and when i do i find that im not falling but FLYING! how cool is that? i dont know what that means, but it was an amazing feeling.
anyway, its getting long and so i'll let you all go...more to come later.
josh out.
BUT whenever i lead worship for SHOP, as i always tell Mai Kao, i come away blessed and filled with the Spirit. the closest form of worship to that which we will one day have in heaven is one that is Prayerful. when the people of God learn that worship/prayer go hand in hand the culture of the Spirit (in your particular gathering) will change from one boredome (lets face it, many of us are extremely bored of attending church, b/c well frankly put, its boring, God is not moving!) and going through the motions to one of service, to one of exhililaration, being blessed and seeing and hearing the Living God move. dont get me wrong, there are times when i dont want to go, but God always shows me i was wrong. He is so good. Amen?
Life at school...
teaching has become really fun. Mai Kao has always been an educator of sorts, but myself? not so much really. I finally feel as if i am able to control a class. I can stretch a lesson plan out if i need the time or i can come up with cool games on the fly if need be. its a fun and challenging job. if you love relationships and young people teaching is where its at.
Mai Kao and I...
You all need not worry about Mai Kao and I. We are doing well...actually, to be honest, we have never been better relationshipwise in our short time together. I love kissing her goodnight and coming home to a big hug. i love walking the streets of Shanghai talking to my best friend about anything candidly. I love that she spurs me on towards being a passionate lover of God. Man, God is truly good.
sometimes i look at my life and realize that i have it so much better than other people in this life. lately, i have not been taking that for granted. God has been putting a heavy burdon on our hearts to serve him in ways that demand more from us...in fact, demand all of us for little or nothing in return. we wont reveal yet what this is, as we are still awaiting word from the Big guy if this is really what he wants us to do. But i mean this is bring tears to your eyes heavy (in a good way of course).
I had a dream once where i saw a picture of two starving children in Africa and in that dream i fell to my knees and started travailing for the children of Africa...i started crying uncontrollable because God had shown me his heart for these people and showed me how much his people are hurting, both physically and spiritually. later on in that dream i told God that i would do anything for him and so in that dream God tells me to jump off my balcony...so what do i do? i listen to Him of course, and when i do i find that im not falling but FLYING! how cool is that? i dont know what that means, but it was an amazing feeling.
anyway, its getting long and so i'll let you all go...more to come later.
josh out.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Quite Long: Part 1
What is it like over here? We're sure you've been wondering. We haven't really taken time to share with you. As you could tell, our church is not so different than most American ones, except that the congregation is literally, international.
You know, it's not impossible for one to go to another place and think that they're gonna be able to do all kinds of excitingly, wild, amazing things for God. And when you get there, it's not what you thought at all.
It’d be silly to say we didn’t think that. We did a little bit. But honestly, we mostly really didn't come here with specific expectations. Our intent was not even to be ‘missionaries' in the traditional sense. We came here to live and work in another country, and open ourselves to the way the Lord is moving. It's like eating rice all your life, without ever having noodles. Do you know how awesome noodles are? Don't cut yourself short and only eat rice. This metaphor is all about your understanding and perspective of the world. It’s about understanding the world outside of your neck of the woods. (We'll talk a little more about this later.)
As we might have said before, our decision was really between China and time at IHOP (in KC). It 's best said that when we brought IHOP before the big man, He was silent. Silencios to the max. What happened instead is that He gave us both things, bringing us to the house of prayer in China!
The prayer room is the life and fuel of the church, and it is what sustains her. Be encouraged because no church government & politics/legalism, no human flaws, no personal problems, no disharmony, no lies or malice, and no conniving person can destroy the body of Christ if there is a burning ember of prayer that resides within your church. Those who are called to be these embers are satisfied by the entering the presence of God and they are sustained by the love of Christ. All they are are just really, really normal people living by faith.
In a church of well over 1500 people, there may be 40ish people that go the house of prayer here. Who are these people? I think Josh and I are amongst the youngest ones. Some are old, some are missionaries, many are professionals, and many are students. There are 2 things most notable: 1) We are amazed because so many of them are new believers. These are, like, Paul converted people, having come to know the Lord recently in their lives. 2) There are almost no husband/wife pairs.
That was a long intro, and a little preachy, maybe sorry... but to begin summing up a little of what we have seen since we have been here:
The Spirit is alive and well. People are joining up with the Lord, and his most fearsome warriors are the ones who you walk past everyday and are oblivious to the message of the Gospel, not the ones you sit next to in church.
Because we don’t speak the language, we don’t understand the people or who to go to, the Chinese church is still a mystery to us as it is to you. If He allows it, we will get to see the way He is moving, in the way Brother Yun tells about it. But our hope is to make a friend, and see a glimpse of the Body in this aspect.
Where is the enemy working these days? In the relationships department. The media and culture has distorted our perception of marriage. What’s the problem? The church is the bride and He is the groom! Messed up marriages and unbiblical perceptions of marriage will trickle down in to our faith, our relationship with Christ, and our church. There’s a war on the marriage front, and we’ve got to fight. In the church and as believers who are maturing, where the husband is, the wife must also strive to be there, and vice versa. Satan can put a wedge between you (and your spouse, friends, family, or church) in the blink of an eye, and don’t think that you’re safe from this.
** To continue in the next post **
You know, it's not impossible for one to go to another place and think that they're gonna be able to do all kinds of excitingly, wild, amazing things for God. And when you get there, it's not what you thought at all.
It’d be silly to say we didn’t think that. We did a little bit. But honestly, we mostly really didn't come here with specific expectations. Our intent was not even to be ‘missionaries' in the traditional sense. We came here to live and work in another country, and open ourselves to the way the Lord is moving. It's like eating rice all your life, without ever having noodles. Do you know how awesome noodles are? Don't cut yourself short and only eat rice. This metaphor is all about your understanding and perspective of the world. It’s about understanding the world outside of your neck of the woods. (We'll talk a little more about this later.)
As we might have said before, our decision was really between China and time at IHOP (in KC). It 's best said that when we brought IHOP before the big man, He was silent. Silencios to the max. What happened instead is that He gave us both things, bringing us to the house of prayer in China!
The prayer room is the life and fuel of the church, and it is what sustains her. Be encouraged because no church government & politics/legalism, no human flaws, no personal problems, no disharmony, no lies or malice, and no conniving person can destroy the body of Christ if there is a burning ember of prayer that resides within your church. Those who are called to be these embers are satisfied by the entering the presence of God and they are sustained by the love of Christ. All they are are just really, really normal people living by faith.
In a church of well over 1500 people, there may be 40ish people that go the house of prayer here. Who are these people? I think Josh and I are amongst the youngest ones. Some are old, some are missionaries, many are professionals, and many are students. There are 2 things most notable: 1) We are amazed because so many of them are new believers. These are, like, Paul converted people, having come to know the Lord recently in their lives. 2) There are almost no husband/wife pairs.
That was a long intro, and a little preachy, maybe sorry... but to begin summing up a little of what we have seen since we have been here:
The Spirit is alive and well. People are joining up with the Lord, and his most fearsome warriors are the ones who you walk past everyday and are oblivious to the message of the Gospel, not the ones you sit next to in church.
Because we don’t speak the language, we don’t understand the people or who to go to, the Chinese church is still a mystery to us as it is to you. If He allows it, we will get to see the way He is moving, in the way Brother Yun tells about it. But our hope is to make a friend, and see a glimpse of the Body in this aspect.
Where is the enemy working these days? In the relationships department. The media and culture has distorted our perception of marriage. What’s the problem? The church is the bride and He is the groom! Messed up marriages and unbiblical perceptions of marriage will trickle down in to our faith, our relationship with Christ, and our church. There’s a war on the marriage front, and we’ve got to fight. In the church and as believers who are maturing, where the husband is, the wife must also strive to be there, and vice versa. Satan can put a wedge between you (and your spouse, friends, family, or church) in the blink of an eye, and don’t think that you’re safe from this.
** To continue in the next post **
Saturday, April 25, 2009
New present
Today, Josh went to one of the first pre-releases in the world. (at least that's what he thinks.) He got a special shiny card: Dragon Broodmother. Way to go!
We trekked in the rain (w/o umbrellas), with a friend , to a part of town we'd never been. It was nearly dark by the time we got to a shady looking, hard to identify apartment building. The inside foyer was dark and grimy, with grey/black molding walls. Josh likens it to one of those, vampire-rave-like buildings. But the word on the street is, go down the hall, around the corner. Take the little elevator up. Go down a hallway again, around another corner and there will be an apartment...
It was locked when we got there. So we knocked... and on the other side...?
The complete opposite of the feeling we got from the building. A warmly lit room, lots of voices and laughing, and an apartment with its walls LINED with shevles of board games! From top to bottom, hundreds of them.
Yes, we finally found a gaming store in Shanghai. And this one operates out of an apartment in a discreet building off of one of the subway lines! There were 3 tables with games in progress, and it was fun to watch Chinese people so excited over board games! None of the games come in Chinese, so they always have their cards in sleeves and proxyed w/ Chinese translations. The store lady was super cool too. She said her favorite game was Powergrid. Which surprises us, cause she knows all about games! (More than Jimmy.) They had basically everything and more... It was like finding a treasure chest.
In the end, we bought Caylus. Josh and I played our first game tonight against each other, and I won by 2 points! It was sheer luck, but I'll take the victory. We're happy though, because we have a few other friends here who understand the awesomness of games, so they'll be playing with us as well.
Yes!
We trekked in the rain (w/o umbrellas), with a friend , to a part of town we'd never been. It was nearly dark by the time we got to a shady looking, hard to identify apartment building. The inside foyer was dark and grimy, with grey/black molding walls. Josh likens it to one of those, vampire-rave-like buildings. But the word on the street is, go down the hall, around the corner. Take the little elevator up. Go down a hallway again, around another corner and there will be an apartment...
It was locked when we got there. So we knocked... and on the other side...?
The complete opposite of the feeling we got from the building. A warmly lit room, lots of voices and laughing, and an apartment with its walls LINED with shevles of board games! From top to bottom, hundreds of them.
Yes, we finally found a gaming store in Shanghai. And this one operates out of an apartment in a discreet building off of one of the subway lines! There were 3 tables with games in progress, and it was fun to watch Chinese people so excited over board games! None of the games come in Chinese, so they always have their cards in sleeves and proxyed w/ Chinese translations. The store lady was super cool too. She said her favorite game was Powergrid. Which surprises us, cause she knows all about games! (More than Jimmy.) They had basically everything and more... It was like finding a treasure chest.
In the end, we bought Caylus. Josh and I played our first game tonight against each other, and I won by 2 points! It was sheer luck, but I'll take the victory. We're happy though, because we have a few other friends here who understand the awesomness of games, so they'll be playing with us as well.
Yes!
Thursday, April 23, 2009
A new topic of conversation
But before I get to that, I want to keep talking about politics. But I'm sure that bores, oh, 95% of you readers out there. So we'll save this conversation for when we get home. Josh is playing smart these days, not willing to get in to a conversation where he doesn't quite know what to say or think. So my talk with him about democrats, republicans, Obama and policy didn't go too far. I mean, it's not like I know anything much. I know less!!! But, I want to understand and know more.
There's 2 things my brain just CAN'T quite understand: 1) government & 2) the stock market.
Anyways, we saw Bee's twin today! Tell us if you agree. He's famous now because he's in the new Wolverine movie. Great job, Bee!
Man, I want them to just keep on making comic book movies forever. I don't even care if they're bad. Well, really bad is another story. But I'll take my bad movie if I could see Ghostrider in real life. (BTW, Josh & I both liked that movie.)
And you know what? We still like Jackie Chan, in light of the media and peoples' taking whatever he said all out of proportion.
Peace.
There's 2 things my brain just CAN'T quite understand: 1) government & 2) the stock market.
Anyways, we saw Bee's twin today! Tell us if you agree. He's famous now because he's in the new Wolverine movie. Great job, Bee!
Man, I want them to just keep on making comic book movies forever. I don't even care if they're bad. Well, really bad is another story. But I'll take my bad movie if I could see Ghostrider in real life. (BTW, Josh & I both liked that movie.)
And you know what? We still like Jackie Chan, in light of the media and peoples' taking whatever he said all out of proportion.
Peace.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
We're On!
So Blogger hasn't been blocked after all. Phew! It really is strange, though. You'll wake up one morning, and find that the websites you were surfing just a few hours ago are now unvailable. Government...!
Speaking of which, I found this on Pastor Dave's blog. (I meant to post it the other day, but forgot to.)
These are the election results (county by county,) red for McCain and blue for Obama. Amazing, huh? All that blue elects a new president!
In light of Yij Second's frustrations with the government, I always tell this to Josh. The problem with young people these days is that they really don't know the difference between a democrat and a republican. How I've personally understood the difference for the past few years:
Democrats: Believe in a bigger government. That it should be involved in your life. This is so it can help take care of the people who can't take care of themselves. (Think: Community responsibility)
Republicans: Believe in lesser government involvement... Being 'free' and having 'liberties' is what we're all about. We're smart people, and we want to keep the money that we make with our two hands, thank you very much. (Think: Individual responsibility)
How these beliefs actually play out, well, I leave it up to you. But everything Obama's doing, it's very Democratic!
That said, we're sad to hear about peoples' frustrations with the church, in light of the happenings with Maplewood. But we can't help but think, Is this what the pastor alone decided? What about the church board? (Well, unless it's made of people who are in cahoots with the pastor!) What does the congregation think about all this? Isn't there a lot of people that go there? Do they agree with this or do they really have no say?
*sigh* Anyways, it's a new day. Have a good one.
Speaking of which, I found this on Pastor Dave's blog. (I meant to post it the other day, but forgot to.)
These are the election results (county by county,) red for McCain and blue for Obama. Amazing, huh? All that blue elects a new president!
In light of Yij Second's frustrations with the government, I always tell this to Josh. The problem with young people these days is that they really don't know the difference between a democrat and a republican. How I've personally understood the difference for the past few years:
Democrats: Believe in a bigger government. That it should be involved in your life. This is so it can help take care of the people who can't take care of themselves. (Think: Community responsibility)
Republicans: Believe in lesser government involvement... Being 'free' and having 'liberties' is what we're all about. We're smart people, and we want to keep the money that we make with our two hands, thank you very much. (Think: Individual responsibility)
How these beliefs actually play out, well, I leave it up to you. But everything Obama's doing, it's very Democratic!
That said, we're sad to hear about peoples' frustrations with the church, in light of the happenings with Maplewood. But we can't help but think, Is this what the pastor alone decided? What about the church board? (Well, unless it's made of people who are in cahoots with the pastor!) What does the congregation think about all this? Isn't there a lot of people that go there? Do they agree with this or do they really have no say?
*sigh* Anyways, it's a new day. Have a good one.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
We've Been Shanghai'd!!!
It's for real. China has now officially blocked some of the blogger sites...namely any site with content that might be controversial (wink, wink). that means that this will probably be our last post on blogger. hopefully not, but we are writing this with hope that we might be able to access our own page and still have contact with you all. i will try to write as ambiguiously as possible so that we might get unblocked again. (it turns out that my Dad was totally correct about this)
Could the Man really be coming soon? for the past year, i have to admit i have lost that sense of urgency that the HE will be returning soon. just lately, since joining SHOP that urgency has been returning. its still in the fledgling stages but we can no longer ignore the things that are going on in the world and the Body, our family and friends.
"how have we shown contempt for your name?"
"You place defiled food on my altar."
i read this today in the Book and was reminded of Frances Chan's message about offering garbage to the King. how long has the Hmong Body (heck, the whole body) shown contempt for His name? too long. He has proven time and time again that if one generation does not do the work set out before them that He will turn to the new generation. I am saddened by this deeply...i had hoped that we would have inherited the call more peacibly. I only ask that we all keep each other accountable and continue to ask Him to abide in us that we might do His work and will...We want to offer up sacrifices (our own selves) that are pure. Make this generation a generation marked by purity of spirit, desire for true knowledge and love and compassion for the things that truly matter.
Mai Kao and I hope that we will be able to talk to all of you soon. it is our hope and desire that you all remain firmly rooted and established in His love.
"Be joyful always, (ask Him) continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is (His) will for you in CJ."
we are thankful for being given a situation such as this so that we might know, even in the smallest way, what it means to suffer and be persecuted for His name. with each lash of the whip comes more joy that we might share in his sufferings and that we might understand him more and more.
Josh and Mai Kao out.
Could the Man really be coming soon? for the past year, i have to admit i have lost that sense of urgency that the HE will be returning soon. just lately, since joining SHOP that urgency has been returning. its still in the fledgling stages but we can no longer ignore the things that are going on in the world and the Body, our family and friends.
"how have we shown contempt for your name?"
"You place defiled food on my altar."
i read this today in the Book and was reminded of Frances Chan's message about offering garbage to the King. how long has the Hmong Body (heck, the whole body) shown contempt for His name? too long. He has proven time and time again that if one generation does not do the work set out before them that He will turn to the new generation. I am saddened by this deeply...i had hoped that we would have inherited the call more peacibly. I only ask that we all keep each other accountable and continue to ask Him to abide in us that we might do His work and will...We want to offer up sacrifices (our own selves) that are pure. Make this generation a generation marked by purity of spirit, desire for true knowledge and love and compassion for the things that truly matter.
Mai Kao and I hope that we will be able to talk to all of you soon. it is our hope and desire that you all remain firmly rooted and established in His love.
"Be joyful always, (ask Him) continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is (His) will for you in CJ."
we are thankful for being given a situation such as this so that we might know, even in the smallest way, what it means to suffer and be persecuted for His name. with each lash of the whip comes more joy that we might share in his sufferings and that we might understand him more and more.
Josh and Mai Kao out.
Awesome!
Dave Lee's sermon from last weekend... Here
It's the gospel. I've heard the gospel before, lots of times before. But these days, everytime I hear it, it's almost like new to me.
He starts off at the beginning making the point that we all know the gospel, and it's something we think we all know and understand. But if we were to go to church, and be asked to preach the gospel (unprepared, unrehearsed,) we'd be chickens with our head cut off. He's so right, and I feel like I am one of those people.
But this message helped me see again. and if you have time to listen to it, hope it does the same for you.
It's the gospel. I've heard the gospel before, lots of times before. But these days, everytime I hear it, it's almost like new to me.
He starts off at the beginning making the point that we all know the gospel, and it's something we think we all know and understand. But if we were to go to church, and be asked to preach the gospel (unprepared, unrehearsed,) we'd be chickens with our head cut off. He's so right, and I feel like I am one of those people.
But this message helped me see again. and if you have time to listen to it, hope it does the same for you.
Friday, April 17, 2009
The Verdict, Part 1
It was all very strange. Since the English speaking dr. wasn't in, I had to have our foreign affairs officer (aka our boss) translate for me to a chinese one. and they've temporarily diagnosed it as an infection. i have to take a little white pill before i eat. then 8 of these other little brown ball pills after i eat. chinese medicine is wacky. and I don't quite trust it.
And they gave me advice like my mom would give me: "Koj mob plaab tes xob noj koom ntsim, xob noj mov kws muaj muaj roj. Haus dlej kub, tsi xob haus dlej txag." but pray that this will go away. or else i have to take some prescribed, stronger medicine.
On another note: Josh & I have been watching this show called, "Long Way Down." It's about these 2 guys, Ewan McGregor (Trainspotting Stars Wars) and his friend Charle Something. They motorcycle from Scotland all the way to the southern tip of Africa, Cape Town. It's pretty good, actually! Check it out, especially the guys.
Also, we're almost caught up on Naruto. Yes!
This weekend will be kind of a sad time for the Kong family. I almost came home. Do you know how close I was to coming home? I was 1 computer click away. Seriously. But when it came down to it, being home for 2 days... I had a difficult monday and tuesday, trying to make the decision.
We'll be calling around on Saturday. Later!
And they gave me advice like my mom would give me: "Koj mob plaab tes xob noj koom ntsim, xob noj mov kws muaj muaj roj. Haus dlej kub, tsi xob haus dlej txag." but pray that this will go away. or else i have to take some prescribed, stronger medicine.
On another note: Josh & I have been watching this show called, "Long Way Down." It's about these 2 guys, Ewan McGregor (Trainspotting Stars Wars) and his friend Charle Something. They motorcycle from Scotland all the way to the southern tip of Africa, Cape Town. It's pretty good, actually! Check it out, especially the guys.
Also, we're almost caught up on Naruto. Yes!
This weekend will be kind of a sad time for the Kong family. I almost came home. Do you know how close I was to coming home? I was 1 computer click away. Seriously. But when it came down to it, being home for 2 days... I had a difficult monday and tuesday, trying to make the decision.
We'll be calling around on Saturday. Later!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
MK: Not so swell.
I haven't been feeling well the past few days. I think I really need to go see a doctor, and doing it here, I'm kinda scared. You know me, I'm usually big on taking care of myself, being healthy, etc. etc. But I've been having 2 problems that are rising higher and higher on my 'concerned' list.
1: I can't run more than 4 miles now. Whenever I do, afterwards, I have a terrible nagging pain in my lower back that almost leaves me unable to walk the rest of the day/night. What's wrong with my back?
2: I have been having major stomach digestion problems. Regularly now, after I eat, sometimes I get terribly bad stomach aches. My latest one was yesterday, and it hurt for almost 24 hours. Most of the time, it hurts so much that I can't walk. I used to think it was gas and indigestion. And a part of me still hopes it is. But now I'm scared it could be like, an ulcer. What if I have to get surgery? Josh tells me not to be so extreme.
So, pray for me for these 2 things right now. If the problem persists, I'll probably be going to a hospital within the nest day or so. (They don't really have clinics here, like at home.)
Thanks!
1: I can't run more than 4 miles now. Whenever I do, afterwards, I have a terrible nagging pain in my lower back that almost leaves me unable to walk the rest of the day/night. What's wrong with my back?
2: I have been having major stomach digestion problems. Regularly now, after I eat, sometimes I get terribly bad stomach aches. My latest one was yesterday, and it hurt for almost 24 hours. Most of the time, it hurts so much that I can't walk. I used to think it was gas and indigestion. And a part of me still hopes it is. But now I'm scared it could be like, an ulcer. What if I have to get surgery? Josh tells me not to be so extreme.
So, pray for me for these 2 things right now. If the problem persists, I'll probably be going to a hospital within the nest day or so. (They don't really have clinics here, like at home.)
Thanks!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Not So Sad Post!
Hey everyone. I'm taking break from work right now. I know you're all at Sam & G's right now! (it's 11 am Monday morning here, and 10 pm Sunday night in Illinois.) I'm tempted to give you a call, but that means riding on my bike across the campus in the rain to Josh's office to get his computer and then calling.
Guess I shouldn't do that.
We had a great Easter service yesterday. Josh regularly helps leads at the House of Prayer now. (It's techinically Shanghai's IHOP.) Prayer before service lasts 2 hours! Most times, we actually love prayer time more that the corporate service with the rest of the congregation. I hope that when we come home, we can continue to grow prayer in the church.
I got a word of direction and encouragement from the Lord, yesterday. It was LITERALLY the same message from two different people, thousands of miles away from each other! Isn't that AMAZING?
Anyways, Josh also led Mighty to Save. It must be destiny! This song has a special place in my heart, because in the marathon, it was the very first song I ran to. There were like, so many thousands of people. And there were me and Pheng, next to each other. We started running and I went under that first bridge, and the song was beginning with that guitar and it was... epic. *sigh*
I'm looking at plane tickets to come home. I found one that was only $600! Isn't that great? We can't wait to see everyone! Josh and I will have absolutely nothing to do. We already are making plans... including taking up your week nights and even visiting you while you're at work!!!
Question: Is Bee and TD Bee turning over a new leaf? What was their Xanga post about?
Monday Shout Out: To Heidi! I owe you a phone call, BIG TIME! It will be coming soon... :0) Also to Pheng and Nouster. We heard from Geu that your 'moog has' went well. I already bought you some wedding gifts a few weeks ago.
***Hey, anyone else out there. If you want wedding gifts from China, you have 2 months left to get engaged!!!***
peace!
Guess I shouldn't do that.
We had a great Easter service yesterday. Josh regularly helps leads at the House of Prayer now. (It's techinically Shanghai's IHOP.) Prayer before service lasts 2 hours! Most times, we actually love prayer time more that the corporate service with the rest of the congregation. I hope that when we come home, we can continue to grow prayer in the church.
I got a word of direction and encouragement from the Lord, yesterday. It was LITERALLY the same message from two different people, thousands of miles away from each other! Isn't that AMAZING?
Anyways, Josh also led Mighty to Save. It must be destiny! This song has a special place in my heart, because in the marathon, it was the very first song I ran to. There were like, so many thousands of people. And there were me and Pheng, next to each other. We started running and I went under that first bridge, and the song was beginning with that guitar and it was... epic. *sigh*
I'm looking at plane tickets to come home. I found one that was only $600! Isn't that great? We can't wait to see everyone! Josh and I will have absolutely nothing to do. We already are making plans... including taking up your week nights and even visiting you while you're at work!!!
Question: Is Bee and TD Bee turning over a new leaf? What was their Xanga post about?
Monday Shout Out: To Heidi! I owe you a phone call, BIG TIME! It will be coming soon... :0) Also to Pheng and Nouster. We heard from Geu that your 'moog has' went well. I already bought you some wedding gifts a few weeks ago.
***Hey, anyone else out there. If you want wedding gifts from China, you have 2 months left to get engaged!!!***
peace!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
A Sad Easter
Today, the thought of being away from home for Easter is so incredibly overwhelming me. God, help me to feel not so sad today.
It's been a slow, quiet simmer. But I've been in mourning for the past few months now. I think about my childhood and how awesome it was. We were poor, but we were a happy family.
I'm mourning because things change. I'm sure this is a feeling we all get at about this age.
As I say this, I am hopeful. Like Luke Wood's song goes, "And like the sun after all the of rain's gone, the morning without any cloud comes..."
Josh and I hope your Easter is meaningful. :0)
It's been a slow, quiet simmer. But I've been in mourning for the past few months now. I think about my childhood and how awesome it was. We were poor, but we were a happy family.
I'm mourning because things change. I'm sure this is a feeling we all get at about this age.
As I say this, I am hopeful. Like Luke Wood's song goes, "And like the sun after all the of rain's gone, the morning without any cloud comes..."
Josh and I hope your Easter is meaningful. :0)
Thursday, April 9, 2009
In real life...
The Bird's Nest and the Water Cube building from the Olympics are actually really cool. The only other cool architecture thing I can think to compare its coolness to is the jelly bean at Millenium Park. Well, I like the giant cherry in downtown Minneapolis, too.
We didn't get to see as much of Beijing as I'd hoped. Josh and I, as you read before, were two sickos at least 50% of the time we were there.
Highlights:
We didn't get to see as much of Beijing as I'd hoped. Josh and I, as you read before, were two sickos at least 50% of the time we were there.
Highlights:
- Beijing is a clean city. Much cleaner than Shanghai.
- We rode a "roller coaster" at the Great Wall. (We were too sick to climb a lot.)
- Hotels vs. Hostels: After so many hostels, a hotel is fantastic!
- Josh's reaction when he realizes and sees what Tiananmen Square looks like.
- Chinese 7-Eleven: Their deli noodles are the bomb!
- Asian airplane service: It's A++. Even on a 2 hour flight at 2 in the afternoon, you get full juice/drinks service and lunch!
Lowlights:
- We almost missed our plan. Ever almost miss a plane? DON'T! It's absolutely torture running through the airport like those people in the movies!
- Lots of walking. LOTS.
Pictures: Are up. Remember to click and look at them in Flickr cause there are more that what's showing on the blog page.
April Birthday Shout-Outs:
Jean Green, Judy, Xay, & Geu. Happy Blappy Day!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Sick and Sitting on the Walls of Greatness
Hi Guys,
its been a long time since we've written. we've been out of town and came home to a messy house and tons of work to do. both things we dont like! also, Mai Kao and I were MEGA sick last week. i've come to realize that in China many times you just randomly get real sick. Fevers, coughing, cramping, etc...just out of nowhere. no symptoms, just one morning you wake up and know something is not right. then you go to work and it hits you like a ton of bricks and you go through the day like a zombie.
so this weekend Mai Kao and i visited Beijing (while we were sick) and had a great time. it is such a beautiful place. I was seriously floored at how beautiful much of the city was. God bless the Olympics for choosing Beijing and flooding them with billions of dollars to help beautify the city. here are some highlights from the trip.
its been a long time since we've written. we've been out of town and came home to a messy house and tons of work to do. both things we dont like! also, Mai Kao and I were MEGA sick last week. i've come to realize that in China many times you just randomly get real sick. Fevers, coughing, cramping, etc...just out of nowhere. no symptoms, just one morning you wake up and know something is not right. then you go to work and it hits you like a ton of bricks and you go through the day like a zombie.
so this weekend Mai Kao and i visited Beijing (while we were sick) and had a great time. it is such a beautiful place. I was seriously floored at how beautiful much of the city was. God bless the Olympics for choosing Beijing and flooding them with billions of dollars to help beautify the city. here are some highlights from the trip.
- sitting the the great wall of china and eating a nice lunch with my bestfriend.
- walking through the Forbidden City and seeing the place where thousands of movies have been filmed. you know that scene in Mulan where thousands of people are standing in the courtyard? we where there and it was pretty cool.
- going to the arcade and playing racing and shooting games.
- eating Beijing Duck at a hidden restaurant that was pretty good.
- coming home and lounging on my couch.
Pictures will be up soon.
when we got home there was a present waiting for us. a package from home that contained birthday presents for mai kao, myself and mai kao's class. it was super awesome and we were so happy to get it. i'm sure you guys know how it feels when you are far away from home and your friends and family think of you. Thanks guys, we love you all very much.
josh out.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Best News of the Day
We're very excited to hear that Peter is going to Thailand! That's all we can say. You better hurry on getting your passport. Don't delay it one day.
We're off to Beijing this weekend to celebrate a belated 4th year anniversary. Great Wall of China, here we come.
Josh has been quite sick the past 2 days, though. He's blazing like a fireball, and he just ate our last tylenol. Have you ever been to a Chinese pharmacy? DON'T. I know we'll find some acetametaphine soon, but it will be a little harder than normal.
When we were little and sick, we did the following things: drink 7-UP and eat rice krisipies cereal and milk. My mom also wound your finger up with string, poked us in the finger with ib tsaab koob (needle), and then gave us a piece of bubble gum. We don't have any of those things, so I did all I could do. I made him some good ole mov kuas dlis.
Leavin' on a jet plane, josh & mk
We're off to Beijing this weekend to celebrate a belated 4th year anniversary. Great Wall of China, here we come.
Josh has been quite sick the past 2 days, though. He's blazing like a fireball, and he just ate our last tylenol. Have you ever been to a Chinese pharmacy? DON'T. I know we'll find some acetametaphine soon, but it will be a little harder than normal.
When we were little and sick, we did the following things: drink 7-UP and eat rice krisipies cereal and milk. My mom also wound your finger up with string, poked us in the finger with ib tsaab koob (needle), and then gave us a piece of bubble gum. We don't have any of those things, so I did all I could do. I made him some good ole mov kuas dlis.
Leavin' on a jet plane, josh & mk
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