Scout's in retirement

Twelve years ago we brought Scout home and he has been a wonderful pet for our family!

He has always had the best disposition and he's made so many friends, here at our house.

He has never given us any problem and what a people pleasure he has always been.

Glenn and I wanted him to have a good home since we can't take him to China and

the Father already had this taken care of.

My path crossed in December with an old friend from Beaver County and she asked

me what we would do with Scout?  The rest is obvious, her and her family are now

the proud owners of Scout!  It was the perfect timing for them to have an interest in

having another dog, since their golden has been gone two years.

They will make a great home for him and Scout will enjoy a lot of exercise with them

and time laying in front of their fireplace in their cozy home.  They have been so dear in

telling us that when we or anyone else wants to see him, we are welcome to come visit or

take him for as long as we want!

Our Father has been in every detail of His preparation for us to go and it's been such

a delight to be even more amazed!

True faith counts on Him, and believes before it sees.

He was first

We love Him because He first loved us.

This popped out at me yesterday and I have been pondering on these words.

 I understand this to mean that I would not have loved Him if He had not

first loved me.

His love preceded my love for Him.

He loved me before I had any desire to be loved by Him.

He conquered my hard heart and my strong will with His love for me.

I am compelled to love Him, because He first loved me.

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JOY uncontainable!

I am joyfully walking under the anointing of the Father's gift of Spirit!  I have asked for more of the Father's equipping that He needs to do in me before He leads me out of the country.  He is growing my faith by leaps and bounds!  He has and is teaching me to keep my focus on Him and not any circumstances.  He is and has been teaching me that I only have to please Him and more recently He is teaching me more and more about relying on the Helper He has given me.  This has been so rich and wonderful!  I am loving this so much... He is giving me His chosen Words to pray over my life right now and I feel as though my joy is uncontainable!  What a wonderful privilege, to walk supernaturally on this earth...every step I take, whether here or somewhere far away is still according to His direction.
I scarcely can take it in!

My Father's Power

I believe in the Father's power in my life and I believe everything in His Word.  It is a wellspring of life to my spirit!  

It is food for my soul and I need to be immersed in it as much as I am able!
I love its transforming power in me and how when I ask the Father for something in my life that is also His desire, He will give it to me.

I have over the years asked Him for contentment in all things and I believe with all of my heart that He is mightily working this in me.
  
I have learned to focus on Him and what I am to Him and not the world around me. 

I have learned to want what He wants and not what I want.

I am learning the importance of joyful obedience to Him and wanting to please Him instead of my flesh. 

I am learning to be aware of self pity and those dark places the evil one would want me to go. 

I have learned that I want to live more for eternity than for this temporary world that will pass away.

I am learning to ask Him to give me His eyes and not be mislead by what I see.  

I have learned that my Father is faithful in everything and deserves my all.

The Father's steady confirmation

I haven't been able to blog my "30" for a couple days....
I won't try to catch up since it's really only for me and
I will give myself some grace...again!
Today I am thinking of China alot and want to
thank God for "20" things regarding us going to China:

1.  Father's ONGOING Confirmation that this is His guidance for Glenn and I.

2.  Able to read many articles about Father's increasing harvest in China!

4.  Never expecting this in our lifetime, but knowing that Father will equip us for what He has
     guided us to do!

5.  Everyday that I feel too weak to be able to do this is good because I know that Father is my
     STRENGTH and He will supply everything I need at the perfect time.

6.  Seeing and being AMAZED and in SO MUCH AWE at Father's raising up our partners to
     be in this with us!!!!  HOW ENCOURAGING AND HUMBLING!

7.  Having the support of our families!

8.  Father's gift of Chinese friends here before we even go!  Their fellowship and encouragement
     are unbelievable to me.

9.  Having American friends and Xueni in China that can help us know what to take to China
     and what we can leave behind.

10.Father giving us the ability to know SOME Mandarin!

11.Getting to live in another culture for a time and learn alot about it!

13.Having the WORD Everyday that gives me strength, hope and faith!

14.Thankful that Father has given me a deep desire to volunteer at an orphanage in China!

15.Seeing dear little Asian babies there.

16.Getting to build relationships with students since we will live on campus.

17.Honored that we will have opportunities to share Jesus with some that don't even know who He is.

18.Eating lots of Chinese food!

19.Total DEPENDENCE on Father now and in China!

20.Seeing Father move in some of the student's hearts!.

Praise Father

Blessings, blessings all around.
Anywhere you look they can be found.

1.  Seeing Father raise up our wonderful partners for China!
2.  A smooth day at work.
3.  Wonderful dinner with amazing friends that love the Father so much!
4.  Email from Xueni
5.  Chatting with patients at work
6.  Buying great tasting apples today at .88 a lb.
7.  Selling our piano
8.  Getting Christmas cards
9.  Knowing my children and their spouses read the Bible together!
10.Seeing them pursue Father
11.Making my hubby laugh
12.Hearing anyone laugh
13.Making a baby laugh
14.Knowing baby Leo is going to be okay
15.Christmas music through the day
16.Caramel gelato
17.Anticipating "The Hobbit" movie next week.
18.Listening to Philippians on my phone
19.Looking at our Nativity
20.Cute Christmas movies
21.Opportunites to talk about Jesus
22.Playing the piano
23.Seeing Father's faithfulness EVERYDAY!
24.Learning Mandarin
25.Ramen noodles
26.Cooking a new recipe
27.Being equipped by Father.
28.Loving on people
29.Making things.
30.Praying Living Words over my life and over others!

God's Handiwork

I am thankful for what God has artistically made:

1.  babies

2.  snowflakes

3.  laughter

4.  families

5.  trees

6.  birds

7.  flowers

8.  plants

9.  the moon

10. the sun

11. the ocean

12.  races of people

13. sand

14. dogs

15. fish

16. leaves

17. the church

18. fruit

19. vegetables

20. grass

21. deer

22. music

23. clouds

24. angels

25. countries

26. the sky

27. heaven

28. the earth

29. seasons

30. the rain