Blessings

If I could just sum up my stay in Kstan in a few words, they would be....

kids, scooter, CRASH, concrete walls, pain, kids, sore muscles, cooking, bazaar, volleyball, kids, eating, basketball, services, egg/tomato sandwiches, kids, walking, pictures, coffee, new friends, more pain, and blessings. 

Anara, Daniel, Ira

At every service I attended in Kstan, there was time for sharing blessings. I realized that I do not thank the Lord enough for the blessings He continually showers into my life. Numerous little things, big things, things I take for granted, things I love dearly, so many things. It was a great refreshment to me to share a few of God's blessings with others and to hear what they were thankful for. And even when I didn't share audibly, it encouraged me to think of other things on my own to praise God for.  

having fun - Lidia, Vernica, me, Nastia

The biggest blessing God has given me this past month has been His abundant grace. During my stay in Kstan, I was not only dealing with much physical pain from my accident, but also emotional and mental pain. I can honestly say it was probably the lowest time of my life thus far. I was dealing, or trying to deal with some news that I had a hard time wrapping my mind around. News that was a blow to me. There I was in a place I had never been before, with people I had never met before, thousands of miles from my family and friends, trying to get through. But do you know, that God's grace reaches to the farthest corner of the earth!? I can testify, it does!! 

I want to praise and thank my Lord for His grace, His strength and His hope in trials. I want to thank Him for putting me with people that were able to help me spiritually during a dark time, for friends many miles away that wrote to tell me they were praying for me, for wise Biblical counsel, prayer and those who just listened. 

Other blessings from the last month would definitely have to include the new friends I've made. The more I travel, the more I long for heaven! Almost every where I've been I leave a part of my heart, but one day I'll be able to gather with my many friends and loved ones from all over the world around God's throne and we'll all praise Him. And the awesome thing is then we will all be able to completely understand each other!! The amazing thing now is that in many places I have brothers and sisters in Christ and though we may not be able to talk about everything because of our language barrier, we still can have a real friendship! 

my tall, very awesome friends

Yo My Yo

Another blessing to me is the ability to play volleyball and basketball. May seem like a small thing to some, but I love sports and during my first week when I couldn't play because of the pain, I ached to play. Glad I healed enough to play with the kids. Have a few more wounds that need healing. (got two more today) Wish you could have seen my incredible flip/somersault in the air while playing basketball. :) It was impressive, if I do say so myself. Some kid ran in front of me and I started falling, somehow somersaulted and landed without hitting my head, neck or back. I was glad, since falling on concrete isn't the most comfortable. Only have a small bruise on my elbow from that one. 

Rita likes this one cause my feet aren't touching the ground. 

One last thing I want to share - I want to thank God for pain. Yes, you read that correctly. I'm grateful for pain. Physically - because it reminds me there are limitations and helps me to work on my self-control. 

And emotionally/mentally/spiritually - because that's when God can really work in my life. When His strength is infused because I have none left. Pain can make one stronger if they accept it and work through it. 

One question that was put to me that helped me....

"Are you willing to trust God with this, even if He never explains the reason(s) why?" 

Trusting God isn't always easy.

But it is ALWAYS worth it.

setting sun in Urumqi