I'd like you to meet God...

Every summer my daughter, Joanna, and her girlfriends have Fun Fridays - each week the girls do something fun together at one house or another. This week the girls wanted to see "Evan Almighty" in the theater, and they made their plans especially to include Yvonne.

I admit - I stressed a bit about their movie choice. Plugged In gave it a positive nod overall, but noted a few scriptural glitches that could be confusing. I wasn't sure it was such a good idea for her to see that movie. I prayed on and off today, and felt the Lord telling me to relax, and reminding me about the conversations the girls can have sometimes, and how God could use them to witness to Yvonne just through being who they are.

In the van Yvonne asked what the movie was about. So all of us, talking at once, told her about the story of Noah and the ark, the flood and the animals. She had heard the story before, and we explained that this movie was using that story in the present day, sort of a "what if?". The girls joked about Morgan Freeman playing God.

Then she looked at me and asked, "Who is God?"
Now, we only live about four miles from the theater... not enough time to get into deep conversation.
I'm shell-shocked, trying to think of the best way to explain, not wanting to mess this up!
I told her that it was kinda complicated and we'd talk about it later.
Coward!
My DH pipes up and says, "It's not complicated at all. Before the earth and the sun, moon, stars and planets there was God. And He made it all...." Nine year old Lynne chimes in, "He made us, too!" From that point on, everyone was adding their two cents to the story of creation.
Yvonne smiled and said "I understand. God is everywhere." The girls encouraged her some more and chattered the rest of the ride.

I sat there and could feel God whispering in my ear, "See? Not so hard."
Simple. A story. Child-like.

The movie was really funny. I really cringed only once at a politically correct representation of scripture, but overall it was really good.

Most important is the door of conversation that has swung wide. I know these girls - this isn't the end of the discussion. :o)

East Meets West

We have a wondrful temporary addition to our family. Her name is Weiyi and she is from Beijing, China. She's a live doll and she will be with us for the next three weeks.

Her parents sent her here with a program to help her learn American culture and practice her English in an immersion setting.
She chose Yvonne for her English name. Her English is very good, and she is coming out of her shell and talking more and more as she feels more comfortable with us.

Each morning at 9:00 we drop her off at school and pick her up at 5:00.
Last night, her homework was to interview our family about our Christmas customs.
It isn't as easy to explain to an outsider as we think it would be.

And it certainly didn't sound like much just ticking off our yearly itinerary.
As I attempted to explain that Christmas means more to us than just presents, family and food, it sounded hollow in my own ears.

For fun, we dragged out our video from last Christmas, so she could see our tree and our family enjoying each other.
But what really sets Christmas apart in our hearts is not on the video.
No pictures of our nightly devotions around the advent candles at the dinner table.
No pictures of us reading Luke's account of Jesus' birth before bed.
No pictures of our reflection on our priorities or our constant discussions about commercialism and "cultural" Christianity versus "authentic" Christianity.

I looked at my DH, and he looked at me.
How DO you explain Christmas to someone who has only a vague (and inaccurate) understanding of Christianity?

We have no idea what Yvonne thinks she knows about our culture. Her parents are members of the Communist Party. This is her first experience out of China, and we might just be the first Jesus she sees up close.
It humbles me to think of the incredible responsibility we have toward this sweet spirit.
I firmly believe that God knows who we are (flaws and all) and placed her in our home with a purpose in mind.

Please pray for our family as we rise to this challenge.

Joanna showing Yvonne the finer
points of making S'Mores

The first night Yvonne was here, all the kids wanted
to be together... Can you find all six teens?

O me of little faith...

I am floored and humbled.
A scholarship was offered through our church.
There were 6 students chosen, and I was one of them.
I'm still pinching myself.

They were to choose the recipients by July 1, and I hadn't heard a thing.
I was thinking I had totally missed God, and I was questioning why in the world I was stressing so much to raise tuition and compete with teenagers, etc. etc.
I told my DH I should just save my money and put that time and energy toward working on my art.

After months and months of hoop-jumping and essay-writing to apply for long shots, I thought this was my chance at actually getting a break.
I wasn't just a no-name 40-something reaching for a pie in the sky - these people know me!

I guess I had subconsciously put out a fleece - thinking if I got the scholarship, then I would know I was still on the right track.
If I didn't, I would stop trying so hard for awhile and see where God led.
So - when I thought I didn't get it, I was crushed.
Discouraged doesn't begin to describe how I felt.
Disillusioned would be a better fit.

Then - yesterday my bulletin was in my way during the service and
when I went to move it my name caught my eye.
I was one of the six.
I quietly showed my DH and my sister (who was visiting from out-of-state) and I didn't hear any more of the sermon after that.
There it was in black and white.
I had to keep reading it to make sure I wasn't seeing things.

In that moment, I repented for doubting God.
Even if I hadn't gotten the scholarship, I wasn't trusting Him to understand my heart.
I let disappointment distract me from what I have experienced to be true.
God has my back.
He didn't call me just to turn His back and let me fail.
He has a vested interest in this journey.
My going back to school was His idea, not mine.

The cherry on top? My sister wrote my letter of recommendation for the scholarship and she was here to share in the excitement of my award.
Above and beyond.
That's His way.

I am still so far from where I would like to be!
I wish I could say that it was a momentary lapse in judgment. Unfortunately, I fall into this trap quite often. Fear wraps its tentacles around my heart and I panic, doubting everything I know to be true.
I am constantly going to the throne begging Him, "Heal my unbelief!"