one of those.

Tonight at church was one of those times – one of the those where it all just levels you. Morgan Jackson from Faith Comes By Hearing, one of Island’s ministry partners, shared with us about the work of bible translation and disciple making. Story after story drew me out of myself and directed my attention to the God of all nations, tongues, and people groups. After he was finished, we all just sat there, unknowing where to even begin. To share what so moved my heart would seem platitudinal here. I just wish you could have sat next to me and listened. O God, break us for those who have not heard.

happy birthday, micah.

We surprised Micah last night with an outing to the bowling lanes. “Surprised,” at least until Caleb asked his mom over our pizza dinner at the girl’s apartment, “When are we going bowling?”

We are thankful for you, Micah.

And thankful for the opportunity to wear cool shoes.

a year in review.

We spent the evening bringing in the new year with a few good friends. J.D. led us in a time to praise the Lord with songs of gladness.

Reflecting on the past year, we shared the things we were thankful for. It has been a full 12 months, and the following items capture my gratitude:

*The men in my life who model what it means to be men. To live out a faith that trusts God to provide for them. That love their wives. Their children. Their neighbors. That listen to my junk and help carry my burdens.

*Those pastors that unashamedly preach the word of God. That proclaim gospel. Radical and simple.

*My team that follows hard after the heartbeat of our father. That forgives me quickly and loves me well.

*My family. A beautiful picture of unflagging love. I am thankful that – despite being farther away, longer than ever before – the Lord has kindly given us new depth and quality in conversation.

*My support structure who have sacrificed hours in prayer, generously given pecuniary sums, and encourage me incessantly with phone calls and emails and updates (and for the technology that allows most of that to happen). In every since, I could not be here without them.

*The One who is forever faithful and true to himself. He is as patient with me as I am oft to forget him. He has caused me to be born again to a living hope and an undying inheritance. This place is not my home.

I wish to wish you a happy new year.

jd.

As you have heard before, we love having visitors. John David Crosland arrived a week ago yesterday, and it has been awesome getting to hang out with him. He has been a great sport, tagging along with us for all of our everyday kind of living. I promise we will let you leave the apartment complex soon, JD.

I love seeing Hong Kong and our team through his eyes. Also, I am treated to his heartfelt worship in the mornings when I am reading. What a blessing.

Tonight we are going to pick up Sarah, Mrs. Brenda, and Beth… Can’t wait to see more friendly faces.

i see you.

Our friends kept telling us we just had to see Avatar. So we did. We look so cool, huh? One part that was slightly different was that the alien language which would have normally been displayed in English subtitles was, understandably so, translated into Chinese. I am pretty sure we didn’t miss much.

welcome.

Waking up. Listening to my Christmas playlist. What a gift we have been given.

Bring your peace into our violence / Bid our hungry souls be filled / Word now breaking heaven’s silence / WELCOME TO OUR WORLD / So wrap our injured flesh around you / Breathe our air and walk our sod / Rob our sin and make us holy / PERFECT SON OF GOD / WELCOME TO OUR WORLD

christmas card.

I’m so thankful for this group of people that sharpens me. Thanks for following along with us in our journey. Glad tidings!

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

bakeries.

Grab a tray. And some tongs.

Pick out your pastry of choice and enjoy.

There are bakeries all over this city – along the streets, in malls, outside apartments, and even in the subway. They offer respite from countless other smells we may encounter trekking through the metropolis.

And the colored sprinkle ones aren’t bad at all.

goodnight, kevin.

So we watched our second Christmas movie of the season.

(Philip, in my mind you were watching it with us. I can actually only here half of Kevin’s lines in your voice.)

One quote I never caught before… “This house is so full of people it makes me sick. When I grow up and get married, I’m living alone.”

I sincerely hope that you are enjoying the opportunity to break out the Nat King Cole and the Macaulay Culkin.

Say goodnight, Kevin.

buried.

With Christ in baptism, and raised to walk in newness of life…

How was it?

Two themes from Sunday. [1] Thankfulness for the Lord being faithful in his promises. He has been true to himself these past ten years. [2] What a vivid picture of identifying with Christ and the body. It is etched in my mind going under (in death) and being raised (in resurrection).

Thanks for all your intercession.