Friday, October 10, 2008

SOOOOOOO - - - - -


YES....

I'm moving to China!

Thanks for all your fun responses to my surprising question!  I wish I could say that this dashing young man has swept me off my feet and is taking me off to a faraway place where we'll start a new life together... but no.  I have to tell you though, the thought did cross my mind to change my plans and move to some of those other places you suggested!   But --- you can't change where God calls you!



It's been an ever developing story - my involvement with China and BMH - but the climactic moment was about three days before I left China in August to come home.  David was talking about how God was showing 
him that he needed to move to China and start a children's ranch.  (Basically a foster home for orphans in China)  I had heard him talk about it before and had always thought that would be a fun thing to be a part of, but it didn't hit me 
like it did that afternoon.

As we sat with a couple other people in that small apartment room talking, I was overwhelmed by this peace that settled over me and God saying "You need to go".  From that moment on, I knew I was heading to home to tell my family I was going back.  

So, contrary to my utter sadness in leaving the country last year, not knowing when I would return, or even if ever, I got on that plane in Beijing with a resolution and peace in my heart that I would be back soon.  It was so exciting to come back and get the amazing support from my family with my decision!  And tho' it's probably gonna be one of the toughest things I ever attempted in my life, I am excited to see what God will do through it all!

As to what I'll be doing.... I - along with the other Americans who are going with me - will be starting - in a sense - my own little foster home.  It will be me, a Chinese intern, and two kids, ages 16-20.  We will be living together in an apartment in the general area of Kunming, China.  We will be settling in together after camp, somewhere around September first.  We will be there until December fifteenth.  (I coming home for Christmas!!!)  

During the three months we are together, we will be teaching the kids life skills, character building, devotions, English, relationship skills and more.  The goal is to provide them with the three most basic needs in life; Jesus, a family, and education.

It's gonna be an amazing time, not only with the kids and interns, but also with my American friends.  I know God has great plans and lessons to teach us all and I can't wait to see what He has in store.  

But this brings me to the sad part of leaving my family and friends my home country.  There will be lots of adjustments and I covet your prayers!  Also be praying for David and the others that will be on the team.  Pray that God will hand craft the group of people that should be a part of this first foster project.  Also being praying that God will provide the funds for me to live there for six months.  There are lots of little details to be put in order in the next nine months, but I know that the God who is writing this life story of mine is well able to provide!  One other thing you could pray about would be that of trying to learn the Chinese language a little better.  I've gotten a little beginners kit for speaking and reading Pinyin, but it is EXTREMELY OVERWHELMING and I get discouraged when I think of trying to master it.  I am just trying to get the tones and words soaked into my thick brain! ;)

Lastly, thanks to you all for the support and friendship you have offered me... I think also of you blogging friends out there who have been an encouragement to me.  I want you to know I appreciate your comments, emails, and prayers!  That's what helps to carry you when you are off in a foreign country alone.  I will be counting on you all to keep me up to speed on what happens around the homeland while I'm gone!  

Until then... I'm looking forward to getting back to here -

And doing lots more of this -  

: : : : 

:: And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endevoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them ::
Acts 16:10

9 comments:

Melissa said...

Wow, sounds like your life is going to be very exciting. I know you are going to do a great job helping others and spreading God's Word. Keep us updated.

Living Out Loud said...

Nicole! I don't know what to say!!!! my heart pounding & sadness has come to my heart...And in the midst of all that...God has filled my heart with excitement and joy! I'm just so happy:-) I can always smile when I think about you!!!! I love ya Nic!!!!!! Love, Mik =)

Bethany said...

I knew it!!!!

And did you get my e-mail?!?!? If not -- I lost your cell phone number somewhere. I was hoping to call you and catch up a little bit with you!! (and hopefully before you move to China!!! :)

Love you, girl.

Seven Alexanders said...

Tell David that we want to go, too! But I have to bring 4-5 kids with us!

Tori said...

How EXCITING!! I am SO happy for you! It will be exciting to see what the Lord is going to do with this amazing ministry!

SS said...

I thought that is where you were going but I wasn't sure. Nicole I'm SO happy for you!! Its so amazing to see how God has been working in your life. It will be sad to see you go, but it will be exciting to see what He is going to do in your life. May God give you peace about your journey and give you strenghth for the work ahead. Luv and miss ya bunches!!

Anonymous said...

yay!!! I would be happy to help you work on Chinese if you want - it would be fun to brush up... I really miss it. I used to be able to read a decent amount and write over 200 characters from memory. So many things I would like to be able to focus more on! Let me know if you're interested.

Dagmar said...

That is so exciting! I know God will use you in some mighty ways!! I met you at TeenPact, You, Mikaela and your brother Chris were in my committee.

I'll be praying for you!

Caroline said...

What a huge leap of faith!!!

Brings to mind Hebrews 11:8-10
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.


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