Charts and Diagrams.

It’s to my own detriment that I haven’t been updating. Thank you for those who have faithfully encouraged me to get on it. Prayers are in red.

A real quick graphical update:


Some excerpts from la journale:

Nov. 7
“I was sick or woke up in the middle of a sleep cycle on Sunday morning. Dizziness, fatigue and weakness were foreshadowing signs of sickness. I slept 90 good minutes right after service and it felt nearly all better.”

The likely culprit:

“My discipline with time has been at more or less a standstill (not a good place to be). I have been sleeping at unhealthy hours due to the amount of work and the amount of leisure I allow myself to participate in. A few temporary or permanent changes to my schedule:

2 hours of class on Tues from 4:30-6:30 p.m. essentially means 3:00-8:00 p.m. is gone
PTA meetings (never really knew what they were until now)
Wedding music practice (begins today)
work out 3 nights a week"

The reddish orange is the new stuff.

A week or so later...

Nov. 21
“Busy days. TBM runs, hospital runs, music practice, finance team meeting, weekly reports, replying to emails, ET, post-processing cousin’s wedding photos…”

“Patience. I have very little of it when my schedule is packed, I’m dead tired and I’m prideful, thinking I deserve better. What stupidity.”

Context: Clara is leaving.

Dec. 2
“So far I’ve shown plenty of excitement for finishing her English teaching days here while forgetting that at every step of the way in life for me thus far, things have been getting tougher – not easier. I should be careful not to think of finishing as an achievement but rather a testimony to God’s faithfulness in our lives – helping us persevere, sanctifying us, and privileging us with the ability and to will and work. I should be looking forward to more stretching and more labor with joy!”

Dec. 4
“Don’t forget, [Gary] has faith as well. His idea of faith is faulty… he has deceived himself into thinking that he doesn’t operate under it. Important: Don’t cower from claiming faith for myself.”

Perseverance.
Sometime during the 10 or so weeks I met up with Gary, I began praying and then desperately praying for my own perseverance in the faith. Some of the issues that Gary brought up and some of the issues I faced while researching for answers were challenging. When answers I found weren't as straightforward as I imagined, I would feel unconvinced and even doubtful if there were adequate answers - or answers at all, for that matter. Praise the Lord for, in the end, hope increased.

Keep me Lord.

Dec. 27
“Recent developments:
Stopped meeting with [Gary] as of last Monday (12/17 was our last meeting). He said that he feels that these meetings are a waste of time and that he is learning nothing new. This is hard to believe but may be true. I’ve always considered him somewhat open to thinking about what I have to say but it was clear that wasn't the case when he said that God is merely a psychological crutch that I’m not willing to give up because I’ve invested too much…”

Thankfulness.
Even after spending hours upon hours every week researching and answering questions and praying for Gary’s salvation hoping that he would humble himself to see and embrace the truth, I can’t even begin to imagine what it must like to be faithfully shepherding a whole congregation for who knows how many times as long and being ready to expect nothing from them in return. To be able to witness Pastor Matt and Pastor John and all the other faithful servants of our Lord serving so faithfully is absolutely encouraging. PRAISE GOD for them!

“Finished the Gospel of John with Katherine & Janin. Romans is next…”

Pray for an accurate understanding and fervent application of the Word of God through this bible study!


Please pray for these other very important things!

Chinese ET. It starts in March, but I am in need of much prayer to be a trainer. Honestly, I don't have the entire thing down verbatim. Pray for me to be working consistently to improve my ability to converse.
Jack and Paul. These are two dear brothers that are relatively young in the faith and unable to communicate in English. Pray for patience (with myself and them) and a heart that really really really loves them.
Studying Chinese. I'm trying to become semi-literate. Consistency is a must.
Prayer. "If I regard wickedness in my heart, the Lord will not hear." -Psa 66:18. For prayer to be more and more desirable and full of honest confession and pleading and submission and tears and joy.

Thank you everyone. I miss you all.



Oh yeah. Some random pictures:

A mosquito bite shaped like a horse:


An uncle!


A Greg at the Christmas party


A trip to "Beitou" on new year's day.


Paul and I.


At the top of our hike.


That's right. That's a ray of sunlight. I love it.




Grace and peace!