A little update...

I have been in California since Monday... just relaxing and recouping before headed off to China on Tuesday.  It's been fun days of sleeping in, hanging out, eating lots of stuff that I know I won't be enjoying for many months, and being with lots of my amazing friends.

I just found out that blogger is once again no working in China... so stay tuned for where updates will be posted.  I am thinking about getting a wordpress blog since that is still in operation.   

On the notes of prayer requests... we are continuing to find out more details about the China's swine flu concerns and quarantining in the country.  When we fly into the Beijing airport, people come onto the plane and take everyones temp, we have to go thro several heat sensors, and fill out paper work stating we have not been in Mexico in the past 14 days.  Pray that we all make it thro the airport with no problems... since the thought of being quarantined in a chinese hospital for a week is not too appealing! 

Miss all of you peoples on the homefront... bigs hugs!!

 

 "And will to the best of my abilities preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States of America..."

May we not forget to keep our new First Family before the throne of The One who can change hearts!

It's Creeping Up.

"Thy God commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us."  Psalms 38:28

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I can't believe that it's almost time for me to leave for China... two weeks from tomorrow.  I have to pinch myself to believe that after eleven months, I will be walking once again on Chinese soil.  It's been so surreal up to this point, that I've not even started packing or mentally preparing myself for leaving my family.  

It's starting to become more real with each passing day that brings me closer to boarding that plane, that it's almost time to leave.  I'm reminded how soon it is when I get a call from a friend saying they want to have a send off party for me next week.  I'm reminded how long seven weeks is when I hug little Sophie and realize that she'll be all grown up when I get home and probably won't remember me.  I'm reminded how much can happen when I think of everything my family will do without me.  And I'm reminded how much my own siblings will change and grow while I'm gone.  I joke with Tiff that when I went to China last year, she got her first job... and this year, I'll come home and she'll have a boyfriend! *smile*  (She does her monumental things while I'm out of the country.)

Though it is sad to think of breaking my ten day record of being away from home with a seven week stay in China, I am very excited.  I will never forget when I left Beijing that overcast July day... as we taxied down the runway, I could stop the tears from falling.  I just remember knowing that I had to come back.  There are kids waiting to be played with, friends to bond with, translators who need to hear of and see Jesus in action, and new memories to make.  And then I realize how much I need God's strength.  I can't make an impact this summer on my own.  My greatest fear of all in going to China to spend seven weeks, is going without the power and strength of God.  If I do that, I've done nothing more than hang out for the summer having a good time.  And while I realize that it will be a blast, I desire so much more.  Something deeper. 

I was praying this morning as I drove to work that God will use me as a servant.  I have a thing for liking to be recognized and appreciated for what I do... I know, it's a pride problem.  But I was asking God that I could be a servant and that people would not see me working with orphans, but that they could see Jesus Christ oozing out of my very being.  That HE alone would get all the glory and honor.  Anything good or worthwhile that I can do is only because of HIM!

Will you please pray with me along these lines.  Pray that God will break up the fallow ground in my heart and that I can come home a different person who can serve Him even more.

Thanks~

China News

My friend David, the director of Bring Me Hope, was telling me about this huge earthquake that just happened in China. Pray for all those affected by the disaster. Also pray for the safety of my friends, Anna and Nate, who are living in China working for Bring Me Hope! Thanks!

1Corinthians 12:26

"And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it..."

Part of our body is suffering right now, over the death of an only son to a drowning accident in Honduras. While we do not know the Coates family, our friends the Haileys do. Please pray with us for them.

You can tell them you are praying at the memorial site they have set up for Isaac here.

Thank you.

Please Pray.

Will you please all pray with me today for some friends?  We know this really sweet couple from Wisconsin, Russell and Lydia.  They have lived an amazing life for God, serving as missionaries in the Philippines and here in the States.  Russell has a Parkinsons Disease... he has been doing better this past year, but Lydia thinks he may be dying today.

It is really really sad to think of this precious couple being parted in death... tho' we know he is going to a better place.  I wish we could just all pray that he would get better, no matter what.  That he wouldn't have to suffer with Parkinsons anymore.  But we don't know the mind of God.  It may be Russell's time to meet the God he's been serving all these years.  

Will you just pray with us that God's sovern will is accomplished?!  And that His grace may follow thro', no matter what.

Thank you.

UPDATE:

Last night, Lydia said that Russell was doing better... by the evening he was able to be up in the kitchen doing dishes!  Thanks for your past and continued prayers!

To Be Specific

Just wanted to let you all know some specific ways you all can pray for me on this trip.

.::Pray for the three kids I will be spending the week with. Ask that we will bond quickly and that I will be able to really connect with their hearts so I can have the greatest ministry potential.
.::Pray for the Chinese student that will help me with Chinese communications during the week. I will be asking him/her pointed questions throughout the week, with hopes of being able to talk about Christianity at the end of the week. Pray that his/her heart will be open and that I would have wisdom to know what questions to ask.
.::Pray for my heart, that God would prepare me for all that I will encounter this week. Pray that I would have a servant's heart. Pray against any spirit of contention or jealousy.
.::Pray for the staff that God would bless the labors of their hands and encourage their hearts.
.::Lastly, but not least, please pray for the health, safety and sanity of the entire team! (smile)

Thanks again!

Impossible + God = Possible!!!

"For with God, nothing is impossible. And Mary said,

Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."

Luke 1:37, 38

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God has been teaching me a lot in the days leading up to my trip! He is teaching me that I have to depend completely on Him for everything... okay, He's been trying to teach my this lesson for some time, but I'm not always the fastest learner! (That's what makes me grateful for a very patient Heavenly Father!) He is teaching me that integrity calls for me to stand alone, even when it hurts. He is teaching me in my weakness, that true strength is displayed! And He is teaching me that He is able to provide for my every need!

The fundraiser we had was a huge success and I was able to raise almost half of the money I had borrowed to pay for the camp and my ticket. (I had to get a loan to pay for both.) A few other gifts of support have trickled in since then.

Then, I felt impressed a couple days ago, to start praying that God would take care of the rest of that loan before I leave for China.

The next day, I got an email from my friend Christy, from Bring Me Hope. It read like this:

* * *

Nicole ... Great News!!! You have been awarded a $150 scholarship from BMH.

This money can be used towards your camp fees... Christy

* * *

I almost burst into tears! I didn't even know they had a scholarship program! (And don't ask me why I was chosen.) Then today, I got a money order in the mail... one hundred dollars. I was also given an anonymous gift of five dollars. Every penny counts and is a blessing! This takes the balance on my loan down to a mere $464!!! Praise to God!!!

What seemed like an nearly impossible task, is suddenly a reality! Please pray with me that in these last fifteen days before I leave, that God can lay it on people's hearts to give as lead, so the rest of this balance can be taken care of. I know He can do it and I can't wait to see how it happens. Isn't it fun how God is full of surprises!?

Thanks again for each of your prayers and financial help! It means so much! Stay tune for rest of the story!

* * *

"For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle

upon a thousand hills."

Psalms 50:10

FYI

I guess I've never actually posted when exactly I leave and return. So for all you wondering folks, here's the low-down:

Departure:
July 13; 9:31 am - Fly out of Cedar Rapids
July 13; 10:33 am - Arrive in Chicago (special prayer at this time; I hear it's a big airport!)
July 13; 12:40 pm - Fly out of Chicago on a Boeing 747 for Bejing!

...fly for hours and hours and hours - thirteen to be exact!

July 14; 3:00 pm (About 2:00 am Central time) - Arrive in Bejing!!! (special prayer at this time too, since I will have already been awake for about twenty hours and it will only be afternoon!)

...have the best ten days in my life...then say goodbye to my new, close friends!

Return:
July 24; 4:20 pm (About 3:20 am Central time) - Fly out of Bejing
July 24; 4:13 pm - Arrive in Chicago (Wow! I actually will gain three minutes!)
July 24; 6:45 pm - Fly out of Chicago
July 24; 7:48 pm - East or west, home is best!!!

Continued thanks to everyone for their prayers. It will be great to know I have to many dear friends lifting me before the Father!

Around the World This Summer

Kip

My cousin, Kip, was suppose to be heading to Ukraine in about one week to travel around to orphanages and do ministry work... that is until his passport was stolen out of his car a little over a week ago. With his ticket purchased and all the plans in order, it's devistating to say the least!

Please pray that whoever committed the act would be convicted and return the manditory document before his plane leaves the country! Most of all, pray that God's will would be brought about - Ukraine or not!

Allison and Yours Truly

Since I am asking for prayer, I'll add two other very dear girls - adopted cousins! - to the list who are headed to Africa this summer! Allison and Kelly will be in Kenya doing mission work in a clinic and orphanage - respectively. They are very excited and I'm sure would appreciate your prayers!

Kelly

What a blessing to see young people who don't just say they want to serve God, but walk it out in daily life! Love ya guys!

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"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness

and all these things shall be added unto you!"
Matthew 6:33