Taiwan #4- More of You and Less of Me

This morning, I titled my journal page "More of you and less than me."
You know those days where you wake up and literally nothing goes right? For example, this morning I woke up late. I had to take a shower which here in Asia means nothing really because you sweat the moment you turn the water off. Therefore, my hair never leaves it's ponytail. Anyways, I was late for breakfast which I ate too much and then felt way too full. You all know it's a horrible thing to feel huge on Sunday mornings. haha. We were to lead church this morning by doing a song and also I would share my testimony. I then heard it had to be only 10 minutes so once again, I was a little frustrated. The morning is almost in action when we were practicing our music in the room and I broke a string on my guitar. UH only 6 min. before the service started and the time we've used to practice, all put to waste. Boy oh Boy. Fortuanately the song really only uses this string like once so it didn't affect the sound. (not that I'm aware of)

With all this craziness, I ran to the throne. Literally, as I was journaling and praying over my morning I just could only ask Him to come help. I needed Him to speak. For some reason, I was just really adamant about them understanding what He wanted to tell them. The Christians here are similar to those in America who are just walking around like mummies in the Church. Dead to the actual life that comes when one walks with Jesus. I knew at this point that I had come to an end of myself this morning. I knew it. My teammates knew it. HE knew it. HE LOVED IT.

The Lord loves to be our strength in our weakest moments. "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Good thing, huh? I was able to finish my testimony and play the song. During the testimony, the Lord really went into action in the lives of the people. I was really glad I stepped out of the way to let Him speak. It's a beautiful thing to see His people hear not only with their ears but with their hearts. The woman who was supposed to lead the verse even got a little choked up. hehe.

To close, I want to tell you what the Lord shared through me this morning. Something I too easily forget. HE REALLY LOVES EACH ONE OF US. He doesn't want us to feel lonely, deserted, unloved, scared, fearful, or caught up in things that can't fill that void in our hearts. He is more than enough to feel that void with life. He loves us so much despite our weaknesses and wants us to follow Him. He wants to be with us. And, He wants to use us.

When asked why I come to Taiwan, my response is always this: I want to share with others the LOVE that Jesus has shared with me. It is only when you really know the Father's love for you that you can truly love others. Please grasp that today. How great the Father's love for us...

1 John 4 "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. We love because he first loved us."

"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." Galations 5:6
I would encourage you to really love others today. Express Yourself.

Taiwan #3.

Hello to All...
I would try to do something creative and in Chinese, but at this point of exhaustion, I just can't. haha Sorry!! A few things to report: We are in the middle of leading an English camp. We started yester day when we arrived. We have taught these children (1st-6th graders with very limited English) two songs- Jesus Loves Me and Jesus Loves the Little Children. I have never played my guitar as much as I have so far (even at Hosanna Home-gosh, I miss you girls). Anyways, we also are teaching them different vocab words needed in the Airport, Train Station, and McDonalds. :) My group is the oldest and I have to say... they are LEGIT! Everyone at the Camp has taken notice. It reminds me why I loved teaching! Social Work vs. Education majors... close call. We went all over town today with the children (40 of them). We went to McDonalds to practice vocab, how to order, and a great lunch. Then we went to a museum and the 5 of us Americans got to hang around together and have a break. Then we went to the airport and taught them vocab needed there. The children went home and then we ate dinner with the youth group (15). We played 3 songs for worship, shared testimonies, and games. So far it's been so super busy! I am exhuasted but having fun. My teammate, Adam's girlfriend is Cindy. Her family pastors this church. I absolutely love her. She's the best translator I've ever had and is the most precious, sincere friend. She loves the Lord and it shows in her every move. I am blessed to spend time with her family. They have hosted us, cooked for us, and about everything my mommy would do I suppose. Tomorrow we are playing How He Loves in church and then sharing testimony. Then we will have a closing ceremonies before we depart to another town for a few days. I would ask that you pray for strength, rest (physically and spiritually), and glory to the one upstairs! Love you all!
Brandy.