weary...but not anymore

weary is not a word that usually describes me, and it feels even lamer saying i'm weary during the summer when i'm technically not working, but that's how i felt for the last week or so.

this was not encouraging at all in light of the fact that i filled my time w/ things i really enjoy: volunteering, ministry, and hanging out w/ & helping friends. unfortunately, i kinda overdid it in terms of commitments, and i was also hit w/ a variety of emotionally taxing things in the last wk. this weariness was even less encouraging as i was in the midst of packing to go China...

BUT, on this last day before my trip, i *clung* out of sheer desperation to His strength and really placed my hope in His promise to answer pr@yers. and it's been a good day. one w/ crying but also mending, and i'm now back to a place of growing excitement about this trip...not so weary anymore - instead, hopeful.

a good place to be as i face 2 weeks of orphans. did you know that the thing kids fear the most is being abandoned, lost? as evidence, think of the countless children's stories where the main character is orphaned or lost: Bambi, Lion King, Hansel and Gretel, Toy Story, Harry Potter, and there's a ton more. sadly, the kids i'll be w/ in China are living w/in the reality of that terrible fear everyday - they ARE orphans and unfortunately, that is their most prominent identity.

but i need to be saved from that fear just as daily as they do. that is not my identity not solely b/c i have earthly parents, but b/c i have a Father, the best F@ther. i don't often live like i do, acting like i have to fend for myself most of the time, but just as i need to remind myself of the fact that someone's tangibly and always looking out for me, i hope to live with that Truth so fully that i can pass it onto my kids.

i have so many thoughts (it's been so long since my last update!) but i'll save them for later since i think ppl like pictures better (tho i haven't been very good about taking them)...

a relaxing evening w/ my China teammate from last year... woo-hoo for pr@yer times in the jacuzzi!

a reunion w/ the wonderful, servant-hearted ladies at my old school

can you see the family resemblance? D's sister came to town, and we are introducing her to yummy shabu-shabu.

a bday dinner for my young'un bf. i had my doubts about his venue of choice: outback steakhouse, but you really can't knock their cheesefries!

and here i'm just showing off...haha. well, it is my blog and these are some flowers i received. =)

next blog: from China!