one thing is just the lack of loyalty we possess as a people. our natural tendency is to live for ourselves, satisfying our wants and keeping ourselves as number one. i have been called, especially as a Christian, to be loyal. most obviously and most importantly i must be loyal to my Savior. i am to consciously present myself to Him daily as a living sacrifice. some days this comes easier than others, but i need to strive to bring Him honor and glory with the way i live my life. With this, comes also the duty to be loyal to other things:
my country: i'm sure i will have a much more accurate view of and be more appreciative of the current freedoms that americans possess while we are living in china. we live in a country where it's legally okay to knock on doors and share Christ with our neighbors. it's okay to carry a Bible without the fear of government officials following you with the authority to put you in prison. we will need to be very careful about our actions while in china. it is illegal for missionaries to enter that country. it is illegal for foreigners to share the gospel with chinese nationals. we are already praying that God will show us how to tread safely in this very hostile environment.
my husband: whose leadership i have been commanded by God to submit and whom i have chosen to serve. although, it does help that he's the kind of leader who makes it easy for me to follow. i am thankful for the two years that john and i spent getting to know each other before we made the commitment before God to be faithful to each other as long as we both live. we occasionally have our "spats", but two people drawing nearer to the Lord should ultimately, by default, be growing closer to one another. together we desire to fulfill Malachi 2:15 and provide the godly offspring that He seeks from us.
my local church: i will admit, during the beginning/end of my pregnancy and a couple months after the baby arrives, my church attendance is not all that great. usually, this is due to just physically not feeling well enough to sit even semi-comfortably through a service with the proper heart attitude of worship to my God. however, there are other times when i just don't want to be at church. how ridiculous of an attitude is that? i was very convicted through this sermon that just as i have made a commitment to my husband, i have also committed myself to be obedient to my church, including attendance at services sun morn, sun evening, and wed prayer meeting/youth group. it shouldn't be a question.
i was also blessed to hear a message on avoiding a wasted life. Christians are called to "count the cost" of being a follower of Christ and then going where the Lord leads. John and i have been married for 2-1/2 years now and have made a nice little life for family. we are able to pay our bills each month, we live in a house that is more than sufficient for our needs, and we have been blessed with children--Emerson, Jordan, and Taylor (if she turns out to be a girl). we have worked hard for the things that we have and MOSTLY we don't feel deprived :)... but God has laid china on our hearts. we feel a calling to use teaching English as a ministry, whether here or abroad. we know that the longer we wait to go to china, the more difficult it will be for us to get there. in doing so, we will be leaving behind everything that is normal to us. we will be completely starting over, venturing into the unknown and unfamiliar.
i have plenty more to write, but i must save it for a future post... i'm sleepy (even though i was able to get a two hour nap in this afternoon! half of which was spent snuggling with my little girl--precious!) and, of course, some pictures for you to enjoy.
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