As CJ said, we've been terribly lax about updating this blog! I haven't really had any single big prayers answered in the last several months, but I have had quite a few smaller ones answered:
1. I still have yet to fail a class or test! I got 2 As on my 2 classes that I have finished since September and I passed the Marketing Communications TECEP. So far everything has transferred smoothly, so that's a real load off my mind :-)
2. All of my classes lined up so that I can finish my schoolwork in April!
3. God has been making things clear about what I should do for at least a year after I graduate, and has been opening the doors for that to happen!
Yes, He is good :-)
~Mac
Showing posts with label big. Show all posts
Showing posts with label big. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
A New Van! (x2)
For the last few months we had been searching for a replacement for our 2001 Chevy Express 15-passenger van. Since we calculated that we will need a 15-passenger for several more years, we needed to upgrade sooner rather than later. Well, a few weeks ago, we found the perfect new van! It's a 2010 Express with a bigger engine, FlexFuel, better mirrors, and other exciting additions. We got several thousand dollars for our old van as a trade in. It's perfect for our family!
Then, yesterday, the dealer contacted us to get some paperwork straightened out, and mentioned that our old van had been sold - to a family with 12 children who have been looking everywhere for a good 15-passenger van! The father drove almost 6 hours to get it, and was very happy with it.
2 answers to prayer for 2 families! How cool is that? :-)
Then, yesterday, the dealer contacted us to get some paperwork straightened out, and mentioned that our old van had been sold - to a family with 12 children who have been looking everywhere for a good 15-passenger van! The father drove almost 6 hours to get it, and was very happy with it.
2 answers to prayer for 2 families! How cool is that? :-)
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Contentment
This is something I've been praying for for a long time - specifically contentment in my current life situation. It's so easy for me to get caught up in the "what-if"s and the "I can't wait until"s and to become dissatisfied with where I am in life now. It has been a gradual process and it is still a continuing battle, but God has been granting me more and more contentment. It's a great feeling to simply do what God has set before you in the present - and feel excited about it! :-)
~Mac
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
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. :)
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. :)
Guidance for the Future
I know I already posted a bit about this, but something else happened yesterday that was so neat I want to post on this topic again! I have been praying about the future and that God would show me what I should do for my career and for my ministry. I have talents in music and audio recording and production that I know God has given me to use. I was just having trouble figuring out exactly how I would get into such a competitive industry, and how I would attract clients. I didn't have a sense of whether He wants me to use them as a ministry, as a part-time job, or as a full-time job.
This is where the answered prayer comes in. :-)
A few months ago I scored a movie for some friends of ours and they were very impressed with it. They've been talking about me and my work to a lot of people :blush: and they heard about a couple who work for a ministry that uses media to reach people in other countries and in the US with the Gospel. They invited me to a presentation that these people were doing. As they presented their ministry and the work they were doing, I got very excited - I could see the vision and also how my God-given skills could be used to minister to others! I talked with the husband, who is an executive producer, and he mentioned several jobs in the ministry that match my abilities (and my Life Purpose Statement! :-) ). He also said that they offer internships, and gave me the info that I need to follow up. I'm going to keep praying about it, but God is definitely showing me that He has a purpose for my talents and that He has a plan to use them for His glory and work! Very encouraging and exciting :-)
~Mac
This is where the answered prayer comes in. :-)
A few months ago I scored a movie for some friends of ours and they were very impressed with it. They've been talking about me and my work to a lot of people :blush: and they heard about a couple who work for a ministry that uses media to reach people in other countries and in the US with the Gospel. They invited me to a presentation that these people were doing. As they presented their ministry and the work they were doing, I got very excited - I could see the vision and also how my God-given skills could be used to minister to others! I talked with the husband, who is an executive producer, and he mentioned several jobs in the ministry that match my abilities (and my Life Purpose Statement! :-) ). He also said that they offer internships, and gave me the info that I need to follow up. I'm going to keep praying about it, but God is definitely showing me that He has a purpose for my talents and that He has a plan to use them for His glory and work! Very encouraging and exciting :-)
~Mac
Monday, July 11, 2011
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
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
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Finally...!
I can't believe I forgot to post this earlier... But after studying since November of last year, I am FINALLY done with Western Civilization I!!!!!!!! :D
Believe me, this is a HUGE answer to prayer. I went in to test last week and God blessed me with the (passing!) score of 57 :) I am now halfway through my Sophomore year in college! So I'm excited. And ever so thankful to all you out there who helped me out, and encouraged and prayed for me. I thank God for you! You are such a blessing to me! :)
God Bless,
Essie
Monday, June 27, 2011
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
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
Saturday, June 25, 2011
School and Job Questions/Worries
If any of you are like me, you have occasional bouts of worry - worry about school, work, future, etc. I've been going through one of those recently - I still don't know exactly what God wants me to do after I complete my degree, and I'm having a hard time focusing on school (which is going very slowly right now because I'm in a sort of gap between tests and final classes). Needless to say, these items have figured prominently in my prayer life over the past few weeks! Funny how much more you seem to pray when life isn't going according to your plan (or if you have no plan) :-P
I really wasn't discerning any obvious answers. Until the last few days.
I got an email with answers (or at least next steps) to several of my education questions. I researched jobs and found some that are promising opportunities when I'm finished with my degree. But even more than that, I received a bit of the peace that passes understanding. It was like God was telling me, "I have a plan for you - just because you can't see it right now doesn't mean that it isn't there." It's a wonderful thing to be free of fear and worry, knowing that God is in control! And when He answers some of your questions - well, that's icing on the cake :-)
~Mac
I really wasn't discerning any obvious answers. Until the last few days.
I got an email with answers (or at least next steps) to several of my education questions. I researched jobs and found some that are promising opportunities when I'm finished with my degree. But even more than that, I received a bit of the peace that passes understanding. It was like God was telling me, "I have a plan for you - just because you can't see it right now doesn't mean that it isn't there." It's a wonderful thing to be free of fear and worry, knowing that God is in control! And when He answers some of your questions - well, that's icing on the cake :-)
~Mac
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