[Don't worry, grandparents, Easter Part 2 with pictures of the girls is coming.]
The day after a holiday can be a let-down, can't it? I always found this to be somewhat true for me. Until this year.
This year, I've found both the day after Christmas and the day after Easter to be almost more thrilling than the day of the actual event. Why? Because on those days, I got to awake to the happy reality that the truths we had celebrated so vigorously the day before were still true. What's even greater than celebrating a miraculous event like the incarnation or the resurrection? Getting to celebrate it every day because it's still true.
Over the last few years I've been struck by how much we American Christians, particularly we Reformed types, talk about the Cross and how little we talk about the Resurrection. Thankfully, many other people (who are more spiritual and smarter than me) have noticed this as well and are talking about it and even writing books about it. For me personally, I've come to see that in my life, neglecting the Resurrection means that I neglect knowing Jesus as an actual, living person. We pay lip service that Christianity is "not a religion but a relationship," but how many of us are actually daily experiencing our relationship with Jesus? He is risen...yet do you interact with Him as a living, knowable person? If we are not, then we are missing out on the whole point of the Cross and the Empty Tomb.
"This is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God..." John 17:3
"Limiting the resurrection either to the past or to the future makes the present risenness of Jesus largely irrelevant, safeguards us from interference with the ordinary rounds and daily routines of our lives, and preempts communion now with Jesus as a living person. In other words, the resurrection needs to be experienced as present risenness. If we take seriously the word of the risen Christ, 'Know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time' (Matt. 28:28), we should expect that He will be actively present in our lives." -Brennan Manning, Abba's Child
Oh, then "let us know, let us press on to know the Lord!" (Hosea 6:3)
Easter Sunday, Part One
"He shall see the travail of his soul and be satisfied" Isaiah 53:11 (KJV)
It was an absolutely incredible experience this morning worshipping with brothers and sisters from around the world. The Lamb is receiving the reward of His sufferings, as they Moravians used to say.
It was an absolutely incredible experience this morning worshipping with brothers and sisters from around the world. The Lamb is receiving the reward of His sufferings, as they Moravians used to say.
Bad news, Good news
Got some bad news today from my friend Mel here. She informed me that the Book Depository no longer ships to China! Dagger!
Thankfully, I also got some good news today. The Sandra McCracken album that I've always wanted is on Noisetrade right now! Plus a Jill Phillips album! Enjoy!
Thankfully, I also got some good news today. The Sandra McCracken album that I've always wanted is on Noisetrade right now! Plus a Jill Phillips album! Enjoy!
On being a sojourner
There’s nothing like living in a foreign country to make you value and appreciate those parts of the Bible that speak to the treatment of sojourners.
It’s hard to be an “outside person” (the literal translation of ‘foreigner’ in Chinese). I daily experience my “outsideness” in communication, but also whenever I go to the market to purchase something. I hate bargaining anyway (even at yard sales in America!) but even more so when I'm not fluent in the language and I don’t know how much things are supposed to cost. Plus, there’s the “foreign face fee.”
It’s expected that the price of an item gets jacked up for foreigners—in part because they assume we are rich and also that it’s fair to charge us more simply because we are (as I said) “outside people.” I struggle with this. A lot. So much so that I usually end up going to Wal-mart to buy stuff so I don’t have to haggle over the price, even though it might be more expensive (although it may be cheaper since you don’t have the “foreign face fee” to deal with). Scripture is clear that it is wrong for people to take advantage of foreigners in their midst, simply because they are “outside people.” It certainly doesn’t feel good to be abused in this way.
And yet, in my better moments, I think to myself, “Why should I make such a big deal about this? The reality is that, though I’m not rich in my book, according to their standards, I probably am rich! And even though it is wrong for them to charge me a couple of extra bucks simply because I’m a foreigner, can’t I trust God to deal with any injustice done to me? He sees, He knows, and it is not mine to take vengeance (vengeance in my case meaning harboring resentment and bitterness in my heart towards merchants). Instead of cursing them by holding them captive in my heart, why not bless in response to their abuse? Why not choose to pay the “foreign face fee” with gladness, not out of resignation, but out of a desire to respond to their abuse with generosity? Which is more pleasing to Him—to haggle endlessly and fretfully over prices out of bitter spirit or to be lavish in generosity out of compassion for them and love for Him?” These things I think in my better moments…which sadly are few and far between.
Such is my confession and request for your prayer. I long to be lavish in generosity and mercy because I have been (and daily am) the recipient of lavish generosity and mercy.
It’s hard to be an “outside person” (the literal translation of ‘foreigner’ in Chinese). I daily experience my “outsideness” in communication, but also whenever I go to the market to purchase something. I hate bargaining anyway (even at yard sales in America!) but even more so when I'm not fluent in the language and I don’t know how much things are supposed to cost. Plus, there’s the “foreign face fee.”
It’s expected that the price of an item gets jacked up for foreigners—in part because they assume we are rich and also that it’s fair to charge us more simply because we are (as I said) “outside people.” I struggle with this. A lot. So much so that I usually end up going to Wal-mart to buy stuff so I don’t have to haggle over the price, even though it might be more expensive (although it may be cheaper since you don’t have the “foreign face fee” to deal with). Scripture is clear that it is wrong for people to take advantage of foreigners in their midst, simply because they are “outside people.” It certainly doesn’t feel good to be abused in this way.
And yet, in my better moments, I think to myself, “Why should I make such a big deal about this? The reality is that, though I’m not rich in my book, according to their standards, I probably am rich! And even though it is wrong for them to charge me a couple of extra bucks simply because I’m a foreigner, can’t I trust God to deal with any injustice done to me? He sees, He knows, and it is not mine to take vengeance (vengeance in my case meaning harboring resentment and bitterness in my heart towards merchants). Instead of cursing them by holding them captive in my heart, why not bless in response to their abuse? Why not choose to pay the “foreign face fee” with gladness, not out of resignation, but out of a desire to respond to their abuse with generosity? Which is more pleasing to Him—to haggle endlessly and fretfully over prices out of bitter spirit or to be lavish in generosity out of compassion for them and love for Him?” These things I think in my better moments…which sadly are few and far between.
Such is my confession and request for your prayer. I long to be lavish in generosity and mercy because I have been (and daily am) the recipient of lavish generosity and mercy.
Cultural adaption- kid style
So many of you ask us how the girls are adjusting...THANK YOU for your care and concern and love for them. It means a lot. I thought I'd share with you one way that we have seen the girls adapting to life here...their full embrace of the children's television program that's sweeping the nation. Xi yang yang and Hui Tai Lang (otherwise known as "Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf").
I should've known that Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf were going to be an integral part of our future here when it was one of the featured selections on the flight over. We began our embrace of it when we would find ourselves up in the wee hours of the morning in a zombie-like state with our two very awake children. The fact that it has a very Cultural Observation
We're still alive! This week was much better than the last, thanks to your love and thoughts.
I wanted to share with you some interesting cultural observations I made this week.
First, they say that our city only has two seasons--summer and winter--because the mild temps of spring and fall are so short-lived. Thankfully, we are experiencing spring-like conditions, so we're trying to enjoy it while it lasts. (We're especially thankful that our apartment is finally getting warm again...I did mention "National Turn Off Heat Day" back in March, right?) It got up into the 80s a couple days last week, so, of course, our family breaks out the short sleeves! I think we were probably about the only people in this city of millions to do so. Everyone else kept trucking right along in their long-sleeves and sweaters and jackets. Boy, did we get some strange looks as we bared our arms and soaked in the warmth! I was asked several times by concerned aunties and grandmas, "Tamen leng bu leng?" which means "are they cold?" (about Katie and Caroline). I wanted to say, "Are you kidding? They're sweating!" I didn't because a) I don't know how to say that and b) for them to express concern about my children's health/comfort is their way of reaching out and saying that they care. From our previous year teaching here, I was already well aware of the Chinese concern about body temperature and dressing habits. I asked another expat friend of mine what he thought was behind this strange (to me) phenomenon, and he wisely theorized that while we Westerners dress according to our own feeling or comfort preference, they dress according to rule. He said that after May 1, we'll likely see many more bare arms. It's observations like that that remind me I really am in a foreign culture and that I haven't even begun to plumb the depths of just how "foreign" I am in it.
I wanted to share with you some interesting cultural observations I made this week.
First, they say that our city only has two seasons--summer and winter--because the mild temps of spring and fall are so short-lived. Thankfully, we are experiencing spring-like conditions, so we're trying to enjoy it while it lasts. (We're especially thankful that our apartment is finally getting warm again...I did mention "National Turn Off Heat Day" back in March, right?) It got up into the 80s a couple days last week, so, of course, our family breaks out the short sleeves! I think we were probably about the only people in this city of millions to do so. Everyone else kept trucking right along in their long-sleeves and sweaters and jackets. Boy, did we get some strange looks as we bared our arms and soaked in the warmth! I was asked several times by concerned aunties and grandmas, "Tamen leng bu leng?" which means "are they cold?" (about Katie and Caroline). I wanted to say, "Are you kidding? They're sweating!" I didn't because a) I don't know how to say that and b) for them to express concern about my children's health/comfort is their way of reaching out and saying that they care. From our previous year teaching here, I was already well aware of the Chinese concern about body temperature and dressing habits. I asked another expat friend of mine what he thought was behind this strange (to me) phenomenon, and he wisely theorized that while we Westerners dress according to our own feeling or comfort preference, they dress according to rule. He said that after May 1, we'll likely see many more bare arms. It's observations like that that remind me I really am in a foreign culture and that I haven't even begun to plumb the depths of just how "foreign" I am in it.
Goodbye, Honeymoon
It's been a hard week. I feel compelled to share this because I've been challenged/encouraged by some good plain honesty I've seen on other blogs recently (this is a must read for any women out there), and I figured a blog isn't worth much if it isn't real. Right?
So, as I said, it's been a hard week, and I'm coming to realize that what some experts call the "honeymoon" phase of crossing cultures may be coming to an end. But at least it lasted two months, right?
Tears and impatience and frustration have come much more easily this week than joy and gratitude, self-control and perseverance. I'm tired of not being able to understand people or signs and of not being able to say what I want to say. I find myself jealous of folks who can speak, whether expats who have lived here for several years and are reasonably fluent or even three year old local kids who can comprehend and speak better than me. I miss the Dairy Kastle and the library and Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens and the Louisville Zoo and Katie's preschool. I miss good coffee and cream cheese and guacamole and chocolate chips. I feel like I've hit a wall in language learning and am easily discouraged to keep going when I see how far I still have to go. So there it is. The honesty.
Friday was a low point, and thankfully things have gotten better since then. On Saturday I had two successful shopping experiences which involved lots of speaking and comprehension and new vocabulary (like "bike helmet" or 头盔 tou2 kui1 and "color printing" or彩色打印 cai3se4 da3yin4)..that was encouraging. (Hooray for Google translator!) I also had several encouraging conversations with some other expats. And best of all I have this promise: "His mercies are new every morning; great is His faithfulness."
So, as I said, it's been a hard week, and I'm coming to realize that what some experts call the "honeymoon" phase of crossing cultures may be coming to an end. But at least it lasted two months, right?
Tears and impatience and frustration have come much more easily this week than joy and gratitude, self-control and perseverance. I'm tired of not being able to understand people or signs and of not being able to say what I want to say. I find myself jealous of folks who can speak, whether expats who have lived here for several years and are reasonably fluent or even three year old local kids who can comprehend and speak better than me. I miss the Dairy Kastle and the library and Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens and the Louisville Zoo and Katie's preschool. I miss good coffee and cream cheese and guacamole and chocolate chips. I feel like I've hit a wall in language learning and am easily discouraged to keep going when I see how far I still have to go. So there it is. The honesty.
Friday was a low point, and thankfully things have gotten better since then. On Saturday I had two successful shopping experiences which involved lots of speaking and comprehension and new vocabulary (like "bike helmet" or 头盔 tou2 kui1 and "color printing" or
Book Depository!
Several months before we came over here, I was reading the blog of another expat who lives here and was made aware of this wonderful site, http://www.bookdepository.com/. FREE shipping worldwide? Really? I was excited then, but now that I'm actually over here I'm even more excited now.
I thought I'd point this out, especially for you kind people who have already expressed desire to send us stuff. If you were interested in sending us books, it may be cheaper/more expedient for you to order them through the book depository. I was checking on it last night and most of the books on our list are available there. And I mean, come on, free shipping worldwide? Amazing.
I thought I'd point this out, especially for you kind people who have already expressed desire to send us stuff. If you were interested in sending us books, it may be cheaper/more expedient for you to order them through the book depository. I was checking on it last night and most of the books on our list are available there. And I mean, come on, free shipping worldwide? Amazing.
Spring has sprung!
Spring is such a parable, isn't it? God is so good to give us such potent and tangible reminders that His promises for life and hope and resurrection are TRUE! It's amazing how a little green and a little warm sunshine transform this city (and my attitude). It's been especially fun to watch spring emerge as we've been watching the BBC version of the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe on our family movie night...every day as Katie and I walk to her preschool and smile and whisper and point at the daily appearing signs of new life, we can't help but tell each other, "Aslan's on the move!"
Shameless?
Hey folks out there who love us....
Just wanted to point out a great new feature in the sidebar...a list of things you can send us! I wouldn't post this unless folks had been asking, so that's my excuse. ;)
I also added my 2011 Book List....feel free to offer any suggestions for books you think should be added.
Just wanted to point out a great new feature in the sidebar...a list of things you can send us! I wouldn't post this unless folks had been asking, so that's my excuse. ;)
I also added my 2011 Book List....feel free to offer any suggestions for books you think should be added.
Full disclosure
Lest you think that Adam and I are somehow awesome in language (because of that last post), let me share with you a stat I learned yesterday. Amount of characters required to know in order to read a newspaper here: 3000. Amount of characters I know: 60. Ouch. Yup, still (almost) completely illiterate.
Here are some pics of Katie working with our tutor that comes in the afternoon. Yesterday we learned the words for turtle, dragonfly, wing, tail, fur, claw, horns, and feather. Not so useful, but at least she's learning something! In these pictures Katie is learning the words for jump, come, go, walk, run, stop, stand, and sit.
To give you a more accurate picture, our writing
is about equal to this:
 |
| (This was Katie's handwriting about a year and a half ago... hers is awesome now! |
Here are some pics of Katie working with our tutor that comes in the afternoon. Yesterday we learned the words for turtle, dragonfly, wing, tail, fur, claw, horns, and feather. Not so useful, but at least she's learning something! In these pictures Katie is learning the words for jump, come, go, walk, run, stop, stand, and sit.
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