9:05pm

{what goes through an ADD person's mind in the space of about 20 minutes...or is it time span? I'm not sure. Which reminds me...}

Today began the second week of being back to work after being gone for a month. From the looks of things, this will be another 40+ hour week. And somehow, I have a blister already, on my left pinky. This is odd for two reasons: 1, I'm right-handed; 2, it's my PINKY! How do you get a blister there?
 

At work last week, I forgot to bring silverware for lunch. I had pasta, which wasn't really an eat-with-your-fingers type lunch. After scrounging around the cabinets, all I found was plastic knives. So, I put my chopstick training to good use. I actually think that chopsticks with a serrated edge would be a fabulous invention. Not only would you be able to eat your food, you'd be able to cut it as well. Just a thought. Anyways, the two knife idea worked fabulously. But I still brought silverware the next day.

 

I love my job. It's wonderful manual labor. The only thing I don't really like is the whole items-being-backordered thing, then the catch up process after we get in the shipping supplies and/or items to ship. Last week we ran out of a certain kind of sign box. This is our biggest box, and is custom made. After several days of allowing the orders to back up, we finally got the boxes today, an hour and a half before quitting time, and in time to run out of 9x4 blue magnets. Not only that, but the phone/computer line was broken, so there was no internet, which means that the packages can't be labeled using FedEx's handy dandy system. Everything will have to be entered in by hand until the phone line is fixed. The first good thing is that that’s not my job. The second good thing was that I got my paycheck from last week, which made me immensely grateful to have a job, despite the glitches in the system. All things considered, I have a lot to be thankful for. :)

I've been thinking a lot about different things since coming home from China, and re-evaluating a lot of goals. I've been thinking a lot about this quote shared in church last Sunday:

"Ambitions for self may be quite modest … Ambitions for God, however, if they are to be worthy, can never be modest. There is something inherently inappropriate about cherishing small ambitions for God. How can we ever be content that he should acquire just a little more honour in the world? No. Once we are clear that God is King, then we long to see him crowned with glory and honor, and accorded his true place, which is the supreme place. We become ambitious for the spread of his kingdom and righteousness everywhere."
 ~John Stott

I'm wondering what ambitions I have that are insignificant and selfish? What ambitions should I have to further Christ's Kingdom?

Which reminds me again of China, and the fact that my 8 gb memory card is now finished downloading.  So, now I'm going to process and delete some of the photos from the trip.

 

                      This photo is in Pinghu, shot from a bridge over one of the many canals. Unedited.

After an 8 and 1/2 hour work day, plus two hours of driving, I tend to be tired and say things like....

"I can win, I'm just laughing too hard!" :)

I can tell I was in China for three weeks. When I subconsciously attempted to pick up my fork and use it as a pair of chopsticks, I realized even more. Especially when the fork flew across the room.

I miss China. I didn't think I would.

The street outside of the hotel. The view from the balcony that, well, had the best view. :) 

Home from China!

I'm finally home. Many memories, many photos, many new friends. One thing I've seen more than ever is God's never-ending faithfulness and grace.

Wade (my co-teacher), me, and our assistant teachers-Sunday, Eunice, Haylie, and Cally.

More after sleep! :)

The quote of the day...

"Don't they know we're talented?"
~a friend

What is currently occupying space on my desk and mind...

(not pictured - some of the best tea in the world)

Lest you think that I've waited until the last minute to study, you're wrong. I still am 36 hours and 21 minutes away from the test, or 2,181 minutes, respectively. And I'm studying.

Reflections of a July 4th Victory

Today is a day we celebrate freedom. Legacy. We celebrate those who fought and died for our homes. But what of those who fight the battles of everyday life? Those who have won the victory, freedom in Christ? Those who have fought for the souls of their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren? They are often forgotten.

I knew a woman who fought the good fight. A year ago today she went home to freedom. To her Country. People don't realize the impact they can make on other's lives. I know that Mamaw didn't. Some people say they're Christians, others live it. It's those that live as Christ-followers that leave legacies.

My great-grandmother knew that we were in a battle. Every night she would pray for her family. If she fell asleep before she had prayed for everyone, she would pray again from the beginning. She left a legacy of prayer.

She encouraged me to create, and never laughed at my measly attempts to craft beauty out of hot glue, yarn, and styrofoam. She told me to use my hands to glorify God.

I watched Mamaw forgive the unforgivable. She knew that though there were things she didn't understand, God would work all things for good to His glory. She encouraged others to view things from His perspective.

Frequently you don't realize the value of someone until you've lost them. I know I didn't treasure enough the gift of knowing her. I would be so grateful to talk to her again, to listen to her stories, hear her praying for me. But I'm so grateful for her legacy of prayer, of running the race well, of loving her family.

Before she died, Mamaw kept saying that she had to get up, that she wanted to go to church. I wish I could have seen her excitement to enter her Country to forever worship God. She won the victory.

I can't wait to see her there.

(My family with Mamaw on her 99th birthday)

" O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" ~1 Cor. 15:55