Freedom of His Life in Mine.

"When the Storm is Raging all around Me, You are the peace that calms my troubled sea.... and when the cares of this World darken my day, You are the light that shines and shows me the way.... Oh the Beauty of Your Majesty- On the Cross You showed Your Love for Me- Beautiful One, Awesome and Mighty... I'm captured by this Love I see... Beautiful One, Tender and Holy, Your Mercy brings me to my knees- it's Your mercy that has made me FREE".

What beautiful words. Music is truly a gift and blessing that I am thankful for.... How beautiful it is that we are made in His image, and we are capable of producing beautiful sounds pleasing to His ear! I love that He has given us the ability and gift to sing, dance, and play along to the beating of our hearts!!

I am so thankful He has honored me with the privilege to be His ambassador here in Changchun- what an undeserved gift. What freedom I have in living within His will. Freedom. Yes yes yes! Today has been an incredible day! So, It began this morning when my alarm clock went off at 5:30 am.... gotta get up and get my workout in before my 8 am class! I did not quite bounce out of bed, especially because recently the temperatures have been dropping-making it awfully difficult to leave my warm bed. However, my day is always better when I spend time relaxing by exercising. I have begun doing this workout program called "Insanity" with one of my teammates, Emily. So this morning we began month 2 of the program. This means more, much more intense and INSANE workouts. But, I was thankful because I truly love working out and have been missing running. I'm excited for the spring when I will be given that joy back as warmer temperatures will return then! Anyways, so in the middle of the workout with Emily, I began to feel REALLY sick. I just sat there for a second and realized I was really nauseous. With my 8 am class in mind, I decided to forgo finishing the workout, choosing to rest until I needed to go to class. I made my way back up to my apartment, just in time to collapse on my bed. I did not move. I could not move. I have NO idea what was going on, but I was paralyzed by my pain in my stomach. I sat there in an unaware mental state knowing I needed to lift this up to the Father. So I began to pour out to the Father- asking for healing and strength to get up and get through class. I was literally on my knees asking of Him to be my bread today- to be my life. We should always be on our knees with this attitude, but too often I am not. Eventually it was time for class, praise be to His name because somehow, He healed me from the crazy pain and walked me over to my class. Feeling weakened from the unexpected pain and literally slugging to class, I asked for Him to be the One to teach this morning, that I would smile His smile at the students, that I would be simply a vessel incapable to performing my simple tasks today if He did not perform them in me. I asked that I wouldn't do or say anything without Him providing it first. Well, He is so GREAT! On the way upstairs to class, I ran into two of my students from my Monday class. I asked them to go to dinner tonight. (I haven't had very many opportunities presenting themselves to dine or get to know students- mostly b/c they are freshman and very nervous to speak English with me). To my delight these girls accepted my invitation!! One beautiful unexpected blessing!!! My heart soared at the hopes of today, because I simply knew and felt completely inadequate for doing anything today... PERFECT place to be in- because then HE is SO capable! I got to fully rely on and rest in Him!! What a blessed position to be in!! I think secretly being physically sick can be our most valuable time for teaching and depending Him Who IS!

Anyways, I walked into class literally talking to Him the whole time. I got up on my stage and looked out at the class. Today's class is one of my favorites. They are just very easy and I am usually in a much better place teaching-wise because it is the fourth run through of the lesson! And so, I began... from the moment the first word left my lips, I knew it was a divine encounter. Everything went so smooth!! I cannot even begin to tell you what an incredible and invigorating class it was! He taught my students and the lesson! He smiled through me, He shined in my eyes! My thoughts to Him had been answered. It was the most bizarre thing- something so simple like teaching and I told Him to do it because I was not able to -and man, did He sure show up! I laughed with my students, I talked with them during break (which NEVER happens, despite how desperately I want it too!) By the end of the break, I had about 3 different dinner dates set up! He could not have provided any more fully than this class! I loved every minute of it! My 8 am class was followed up with observing Linda, my Chinese colleague's class. It was very interesting and inspiring to watch her teach a class in English, her second language. The two of us went to lunch together following class. And even there I felt His divine hand guiding me and working in me. I got to buy her lunch and we had a good conversation about differences between America and China. She has excellent English and we even discussed my hopes and opportunities for work next year back home. She feels like a mother figure to me- although she is so young!

Later this evening, I had my dinner date with my student Gemma. Her friend was not able to make it. Gemma bought me dinner and as we waited for our chow mien, I was randomly approached by a Muslim guy I had never seen before. He heard me speaking English and asked if I could order for him. I explained to Gemma what to order for him and she was able to do it graciously! He waited by us for his food and asked me where I was from and a list of other questions. His name was Mohammod, and he was from Dubai. He once taught at this school, but was now just visiting with another friend. He was probably in his mid-20s and Gemma thought he was my boyfriend (AHHH) so she asked in front of him if he could eat with us. I did not want to be rude, so I said sure if that's what she wanted. So, she asked him to eat with us. I was SO nervous about how Gemma would perceive him and ultimately have it reflect on me as well! I mean this guy was completely unfamiliar to me, and I could tell by some of his language that his language could be a bit unpredictable and detrimental to the conversation I was excited to have with Gemma. But, once again, I asked for the Father's provision... it was not exactly my hope or plan for how my first dinner with Gemma would be, but He had a plan I'm sure. As we found a table, I simply told them I would be offering a thought/thanks to my Father. I didn't wait for their response, but just bowed my head and began to ask for intercession for me, for them, and for the conversation ahead of us. When I lifted my head, Gemma seemed a bit confused at what I was doing, but she didn't address it. Mohammod was surprised by my action and did address it.

"Did you just ask "Him" to bless you?"
I smiled, "No, I asked him to bless you and her too, and our conversation"
His face broke out in a huge grin and he gave a slight nod of his head at my answer, apparently approving. We began to eat and talked in very simple terms about what he was doing here, and various Chinese/English translations of words. It was a good time, and toward the end of the conversation Mohammod brought my "thought time" back up again...
"I hardly ever see people like you talking to your Father, it is nice to see"
I smiled and replied, "well it is nice to do. I often need it. "
I could see the wheels turning in his mind, and he explained how he was raised Muslim and he prayed often to Mohammad and Allah. My heart went out to him.
He continued, "Most of the people like you often just say they are labeled a "like-minded" person, but you don't find them giving thanks frequently or before meals. It is nice that you do that"
I nodded my head, "yes, many people in America use it simply as a label- they don't take their faith seriously. But for me, I take it very seriously. I know I wouldn't be able to get through being here away from home without Him. I need Him".

That was the extent of our conversation about this, but I was blown away by the straightforwardness my words held and the natural way in which they flowed out. I can truthfully say, He was speaking through me. I was not responsible for the boldness in directly answering his questions and being fearless about his possible reaction considering he was muslim. While I had intended to love on Gemma, the Father changed the direction of the evening and gave me truth to pass on to Mohammed. Who knows if I will see this guy again, but I believe without doubt that THIS conversation was the one HE had planned for tonight. Praise be to Him who is good- the Deliverer, the Conqueror, the Great Counselor, the Father who yearns for each of His children regardless of nationality, regardless of language or appearance to turn to Him- the Father of the Nations. May we all hear the call and respond with our hearts and minds surrendering all that is our flesh, dying to ourselves, and living in His Spirit, proclaiming Him wherever we are and whoever we're with.

Because "no power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hands, till He returns or calls me home- HERE in the power of Him who's crowned I stand!"