Tenants

It's amazing how much God has done for my relatives, particularly my mother's brother's family.

It was awesome to Facetime with them again this morning and I found out a big prayer of theirs (and ours) had been answered.  It's kind of a popular (may not be the right word) thing in China now to own 2 apartments.  One to live in and one completely furnished to rent out (logically, that doesn't work, but anyways).  My uncle bought such a second apartment about 6-7 months ago and we'd been praying for a tenant to quickly rent it.  Month after month, no one did; not many people even came to see it.

I will admit, even when I was often reminded to pray for them, I didn't, not even a short 30-second prayer, let alone pray for them everyday.  I'd only remember when we called them or when we had family prayer time.

But God is faithful, even when we are not (2 Timothy 2:13) and last week, my uncle finally rented it out to a tenant!! HALLELUJAH!!  Now that's off our shoulders and my relatives once again see how God provides.

I like reminders that when we ask, we receive.  God is good.

~CJ

Milk

This morning, we got to do Facetime with an aunt, uncle, cousin, her husband, and her baby boy!  SO SO cool to see family that you haven't talked with for almost 6 years.  And to meet your cousin's husband... and their MOST ADORABLE BABY that looks just like your younger sister when she was a baby.  Really wish we thought to use video-chat earlier, since we knew we both had iPads. *rolls eyes at self*

Anywho... on to how God answered prayer.  Like I said, my cousin had a baby about 6 months ago.  Everything was splendid until her mammary glands got infected and TZJ (his initials) could not feed on his mother's milk.  Just so you know, a couple years ago, a scandal was surfaced where baby formula was found to have been poisoned by manufacturers to add mass and increase "protein" levels.  Several baby's deaths were traced back to this formula and my cousin was really hesitant to feed her baby that.
So, my Mom and I searched the grocery stores for good, organic baby formula, and shipped about 10 boxes ($100 in shipping costs) hurriedly to Beijing.
And of course, we prayed all the while, that my cousin would be healed and that TZJ would eat the new milk (some babies can be picky at an early age).
Not sure of the specific time periods, but this morning, after talking with my cousin, we found out that after TZJ finished about 2 boxes, my cousin was healed and she could breastfeed again.  And NOT only that, she has SO much milk, they have 2 freezerfuls and are giving some extras to neighbors!  Is God not good and gracious?  He did MORE than we asked for!  Hallelujah!

I feel really really happy!

So - anything in anyone else's life that shows God does more than we expect and it's amazing and great?

~CJ

Repost...

Not a thing on here since the end of September LAST year... this place needs a little livening up.

Anybody wanna join?  Lemme know and I'll send invites.

I have an answered prayer, but I'll link to it, because it's long and it has some rabbit trails on dessert. Link -->{It's like an awesome CLEP score...}

~CJ

losing things...

So the title doesn't really make sense, but I was never a good title-maker...

I don't lose things that frequently... ok, maybe that's a little too relative, but I don't lose things as often as the other females in my family :P .

However, if I do lose something... here comes "terrific" (as in terrifying) frenzy.

I look EVERYWHERE for that one object... notebook, nail clipper, guitar pick, special eraser, ... occasionally my cellphone or permit, etc., whatever.  It's awful.  I look in every place possible... even the places impossible.  At least, that's what it feels like.  And it often happens when I most need it (of course, that's because you only find out when you need it).

And I've noticed, my problem with losing the object wasn't as big a deal as getting upset about HOW it got lost.  I would always try to figure out who was the culprit of misplacing my necessity, why did they misplace it, and of course, where did they misplace it.  Sometimes, I made the mistake and sometimes others and sometimes no reason could be found for its disappearance or misplacement.  Regardless, I got upset.

Honestly and shamefully, I confess I showed my frustration in an un-Christ-like manner.  In fact, it has happened soo many times, I got fed up with myself.  It's obnoxious to both me and those around me. I wondered how in the world I was going to stop sinning in this area.  Kind of hard when I can't force myself not to lose things.

*ding ding* Why not just ask God to help me find my things?  He never said we couldn't do that!  It would save both me, the innocent bystanders, AND God, the aggravating grief.  

And what do you know?  When I started asking God to help me, HE ANSWERED.  That's not to say, I sat back and waited for my lost things to come floating into my hands, "Ooo, thanks God, that was easy."  No, I still did my part, but calmly asked Him before I started searching, "God, please Please PLEASE, help me find ----. I need it pretty soon but I have no idea where it is.  I'm sorry if I misplaced it and I'm sorry I wasn't more careful, but please help me!"  And I knew I would find it.

Sometimes, within 5 minutes I will find that "thing".  It's amazing, I didn't even have to ask every single person in the house if they had seen it.  Nope, God knew where it was and helped me find it. It saves time and effort.  Other times, I realize in a couple minutes, "Ok, this isn't working, but I don't have to worry.  I'll find it later."  And on my next attempt, I will find it in <30 seconds, or even maybe "chance" upon finding it.  It's so amazing, it's weird.

It's mind-blowing to think, "Wow - God just stooped down to help me find my guitar pick... the little plastic chip no bigger than a memory card... why in the world did You do that, God?"  Why? Because He is faithful to His promises.  He will never back down on His Word:

Mark 11:24 (ESV)
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Soli Deo Gloria,
~CJ

RA Job

Reviving this blog!!!  :D :D

If you didn't know - I'm a research assistant at CollegePlus! and have been for almost 2 months (wow, it feels like it's been forever and yes, I'm the one who's probably editing your template, hehe).

I have heard several times that people applied for that position and it wows me to think God allowed me to be selected for that position.  I know Erica (my boss) prayed over the situation and she says she doesn't hire someone until she gets the "go-ahead" from God to do so.  (We've been praying for a degree consultant and God just answered with the perfect person at the perfect time, when another degree consultant was transitioning to a different department - hallelujah!)

It's also funny (and embarrassing) how I asked God to give me the job, but didn't really expect Him to answer positively.  In fact, I was planning on it not working... yes, I know shameful.

I wonder how many times I've done that and God might have said, "Alright then.  Since you don't believe I'm going to give it to you, I might as well not.  It's not all that glorious if you get something that you didn't have faith for."  Maybe that's not the best way to guess at what God is thinking, but it definitely reminds me to BELIEVE I have received and not worry or keep asking like He won't answer me ALWAYS.

Mark 11:24 (HCSB)
Therefore, I tell you, all the things you pray and ask for -- believe that you have received them, and you will have them.

Soli Deo Gloria,
~CJ

HHHUUURRRAAAAHHHHH!!

Ok, so I've been under the misunderstanding that my cousin accepted Christ several weeks (maybe a couple months) ago.  But, I have been under the correct understanding that my uncle has not done so.

But does it matter?

NOPE! *insert big grin here*

This morning (before I replied to Mac's comment, sorry) my Mom was able to talk with my uncle about Christ a little more.  And both he and my cousin prayed and accepted Christ as their Saviour!!!!! Praise God!! :D

We'd been worried about my uncle, because we didn't want to present the Gospel in a manner that he would reject. And we really wanted to do it when he was ready and not push him.

The cool part? My uncle was "ready" and open about a week ago. He was just confused about Baptism and "praying the prayer".  He thought you had to be baptized to be saved. He'd even asked to be baptized in America! (which, btw I'll record). But you can't blame him for not knowing, because my Mom only had been telling him bits here and there, hoping to give a thorough presentation when the opportunity came.

It came this morning. I don't know the details, but after my uncle prayed, Mom said he was silent for such a long time and suddenly began weeping, he was so touched.  Oh how I wish I was on a 3-way call, then.

It's so wonderful how God has been working in my relatives' hearts. We've all been waiting to see this happen for over a decade... and it FINALLY HAS!! :D

And God's timing is always perfect.  My uncle and were just considering whether or not to let my cousin into some Youth Communist organization.  It's not to say you can't be a Christian then, but it's so much harder if you're bound by that.  Little to say, we're relieved my cousin came to Christ before going into their hands. God is so good. Can I get an amen?! :D

Soli Deo Gloria,
CJ

P.s. I'm gonna send contributor invites to all the followers of this blog (that I have email addresses of), so yeah - heads up. :)

Visas

The U.S. does not want Chinese people to enter their territories. There are several reasons, most of which I don't know. If it's because they don't want to be over-populated, they should have some mercy on China and let their people in.

Anyways - my uncle, aunt, and cousin (the same mentioned in the School post) have wanted to visit America for longer period of time to improve my cousin's English. What better way than total immersion? 8-) One of the bigger problems, excluding costs, was the visa application. Even though my uncle is my mom's brother, it's pretty impossible for relatives to get even tourist visas, unless they're your spouse.  And if you're rejected by the US Embassy, bye bye. You are not gonna get another chance at visiting the Land of Opportunity.

The scary part: you know the ambassador interviewing you and investigating your application? Your chances are completely in his hands (Please, don't accuse me of blasphemy! I know God is holding the ambassador in His hands). If he's grumpy, you're shot. If he had some nice coffee in the morning, congratulations, you're in.  Just like that. It's such a delicate balance. They're watching you too. Anything hinting you're not telling the whole truth, bloating about salaries, status, social networking, etc. and the like, completely negates your attempts.

The session itself is 4 hours and very grueling. I won't go into detail about how my mother and I quintuply checked all my relatives information in their visa applications online (which had numerous bugs driving me up the wall!) before the actual session. I knew my cousin's family was nervous. My immediate family was nervous (I don't think my Mom, sisters, or I slept), which was wrong, because we had prayed and given up the situation into God's hands.

You don't have to guess. My relatives were accepted!! Everything went smoothly. The interview itself was only 30 minutes long, in which my uncle answered several strange questions (like how many cars his company sold in one week :-/). I know it increased my aunt and cousin's faith. And my uncle is definitely beginning to think there might be a God up there.  And He is :) . Praise God for working a miracle!

The tickets are bought and they're coming in ten days!! I'm so so so so excited. :D

Soli Deo Gloria,
~CJ

Come On!

Ok - here's a plug, people! JOIN us! Let me know if you want to be a contributor to this blog. :D

Also - note to current contributors, Essie suggested we tag "big" and "little" answered prayers when we blog.  I know all answered prayers are a blessing to us, but it'll help with organization. :)

Blessings!
~CJ

It's RAINING!!

:D :D
*is dancing with joy*
It's raining, praise God!  And it's a nice slow steady rain, that won't wash away all the good dirt and mulch we just distributed.

Here are some pictures! :)

Sorry it isn't that good quality... I don't know how to take pictures of rain :P .

Soli Deo Gloria!
~CJ

School

In China, you have those nasty entrance exams and processes for getting into Middle School and High School, the same way you get into college in the US.  It costs more, too.  And the good schools are just as hard, if not harder to get into.  Why? Because, you need "connections/ fame" and money to get into the good schools.

There's an excellent and prestigious middle school in the district my 12yo cousin lives in, that her parents supremely wished for her to attend. During the last few weeks of classes, a committee selected the top students for 2nd Railroad Middle School (I know, strange name).  She had good grades, good scores on entrance exams, etc. but not good enough to get into the school.  After a while, the committee went through again choosing more students to fill up open spots.  It's tough, like I mentioned.  My uncle and aunt don't have connections with officials, CEOs, and whatnot, and they're not filthy rich.  So, we all prayed that God would have mercy on my cousin and let her be among the students of the second "pool".   She and her mother are new Christians, and they've been taught that whatever we ask of God, He will answer.  They were told that, but they'd never seen it happen.

And guess what?  Several days ago, my Mom got an email (in the middle of the night) that Lili was accepted to 2nd Railroad Middle School! :D WHOOT!! and PRAISE GOD.  :D

God answers prayers! :)

I've got another post coming up about my cousin's family... that most of you probably know through Buzz :) .

Soli Deo Gloria
~CJ

RAIN!!

I know lots of my friends need rain in their states.  So it's been on my mind a lot. We need a some here in NC, too. And guess what? IT RAINED YESTERDAY!!!  It poured for several minutes, lightning, thunder, a little hail, and they whole rigamarole... so awesome. Too bad, I was sleepy :P .  But God answered my prayer. Now our garden has been feeling better, today :) .

I'll will be praying for everyone else, too :) .

~CJ

P.s. Sorry about double posting :P .

Kid's Bible Study

I guess I'll start :-/ .

I've been leading the kid's Bible study (it's actually kind of like Sunday school on Friday night with kids from our cell group) for about half a year now. I've been pining to teach the kids so much and I felt as thought I hadn't taught them as much as I'd like.  It's especially hard since ages range from 2-10, all with high activity, curiosity, and mischief levels.  Last Friday morning, I simply asked God, "Please let me be able to teach the kids a lot tonight. I'm not very prepared this time, but I know these kids need to know more about You before they can live according to Your Word.  Help."  It wasn't eloquent, but I couldn't think what else to ask for.

7:45pm and only 4 kids, ages 7, 8, 9, and 10.  "Snap, I forgot to ask God would bring lots of kids to the Bible Study as well. *facepalm* Oh well, it's in God's hands now.

The study ended up being TWO and a HALF HOURS LONG!!  The parents evidently had dragged their study and prayer longer than usual. But with these four kids... wow. I started with a Bible Story book that gave a summary of the Old Testament. We never got past Solomon. The kids had so many questions. And for once, they were 99% relevant to the discussions at hand.  We talked about
original sin,
heaven and hell,
Satan and his fallen angels,
lots of Biblical history and how each person obeyed/disobeyed God,
not to be yoked with unbelievers (Solomon),
salvation,
new spirit/creation,
sinful nature,
fellowship,
going to church,
prayer,
the Holy Spirit,
and so much I can't remember.
I tried to find Scriptures off the top of my head that would support everything I was saying.  It was both amazing and humbling (man, do I need to study the Bible more).  At the end, I found out all four of them had unclear definitions of what Christians and children of God were, even though 2 were baptized. I pray I made it clear to them (and I think they understand now).  The other 2, I led to pray acceptance of Jesus as LORD and Savior. Hallelujah!!

10:15pm Jason: My iPod says it's 10:15... I'm tired.

God answered my prayer in an unexpected way. I wanted to impact a lot of kids and "hit them hard with the message."  God knew I couldn't handle it and He gave me a precious 2.5 hours with four of them. I was so amazed they were able to pay attention for so long and not complain.  Praise God for answering prayers and doing a better job than we could ever imagine.

Well - so much for keeping it brief. *rolls eyes at self*  Forgive the rambling and I'll try to do better the next time.

Your turn. :D

Soli Deo Gloria
~CJ

Starting Out

John 14:13-14 (NASB)Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask me anything in My name, I will do it.

This a place to share answered prayers, both great and small.  


This blog (prayerfully) will be a huge motivator to pray constantly.  Our prayer lives could always use a boost.


We will share more personal instances of answered prayers, especially situations in which we knew we couldn't do much about it, but God was in total control.  

We'll post about how God does things for us BEFORE we think to ask Him. 


We'll talk about how God answered our prayers, not necessarily in the way we were hoping, but we found His plan to be sooo much better in the end.

Or like one of Essie's prayer requests (not on this blog): that God would make her have a good attitude toward the day or a task (or something like that), and He answered!!  

Basically, going for very specific cases and maybe giving an encouraging word at the end. Keep each post very short and too the point. 7 page-long sermons are unnecessary. :)

We can post the actual prayers we prayed. Post pictures if needed or just to add some "flair" to the posts. Be creative!

Currently, authors are CollegePlus! students/alumni and you are welcome to join the "team". The more contributors, the better!   It also means the rest of us don't have to post as much.  

Just kidding - God is to be glorified and we know He can't be glorified too much.  Please forward this to anyone else, who you think may be interested! 

(And if you do post, be sure to tag/label your posts with your name.)

It's so good to look back on our lives and see God's answered prayer! 

~Excelsior

~CJ