Bloom!

Dear sisters, here are a few links with ways we can serve our neighbors, whether here or abroad, through prayer: Orphan Sunday : November 2, 2014 This Sunday, November 2nd, is Orphan Sunday to raise awareness of the many orphans around the world who are still waiting for a loving family and to pray for them to be adopted.  We'd also like to take this time to once again bring one little guy up.  Back in April, McKennaugh Kelley shared about Miroslav on The Rebelution , hoping to get him adopted.  Sisters, he is still waiting!  Please pray for him and share his story! International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP) : November 9, 2014 The following Sunday, November 9th, is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.  So many of our Brothers and Sisters in Christ in restricted nations are persecuted, imprisoned, or martyred for their faith.  This is a great day to be reminded of them and to pray for God to uphold them and w...

Dear Bloom! readers,  It’s been awhile since I’ve actually sat down with a cup of coffee beside me, humming to some hymn instrumental while I get to write an update on how God is constantly molding this stubborn old clay that is me. I’m back in school taking some certificate courses for my teaching. I worked a year in a Christian preschool and almost got to stay with them, but God did a reroute and is teaching me once again the value of waiting in Him with a glad heart. Of course, that is so much easier said than done. This is the part where I get really thankful that Christ keeps working in my heart, because without Him, I truly will just be a big, hot mess. I am currently working partly with toddlers for some days of the week and I also get to do some receptionist work for the preschool on campus. To be honest, I wouldn’t pick two year olds as a class I’d be in, because a lot of people discuss the concept of "terrible twos", but God has taught me so much about ch...

Dear sisters, How can one process a year and a half of life overseas into one post?  It isn't possible.  Nor is it possible for me to completely understand and express what God has done in my life in Taiwan.  Since that's not possible, I've chosen to share brief snippets throughout the year and a half as my final Tales from Taiwan post.  It's been a joy to share with you, readers around the world, what our King has been doing on one small island that's very near to my heart.  Thank you so much for the prayers, for the support, and kindness.  I'm one blessed girl! So, here's glimpses of my time in Taiwan: I learned that... ~ worshipping with fellow believers in another language is challenging and rewarding.  Sometimes the language barrier gets in the way, and yet, sometimes God breaks through that barrier and the fellowship you experience doesn't depend on words anymore. ~ chicken bowels don't taste good and they don't taste bad. ...

I realize it has been close to two years since I last wrote a “Where I’m At” post. To say that a lot has happened since then would be an understatement! I will share what I’m doing right now, and some major lessons God has taught me, and is still teaching me. I have since graduated from high school, and I sit here writing this in my dorm at college. I am a freshman at a Christian liberal arts college. I’ve not even been here two months but it feels like home already. I love it here, and am so glad God paved a way for me to come! It almost didn’t happen, and I really didn’t think I’d get to attend a Christian college. I remember back in March telling people it would take a miracle for me to be able to come to college here. Well, let me just tell you – God does still perform miracles! The ways He provided for me were awesome! One of the major lessons I’ve learned in the past year is that money is like nothing before God. There is no amount too big. He is, after all, ...

Seasons can change so gradually, with changes almost  being imperceptible.  Sometimes, the changes are quick with temperatures dropping quickly and leading us to run back inside because we need a jacket on. Here in California, we experienced a very dry spring and summer, and yesterday, I felt the first chill in the air that showed me that the fall season has come. While the changes in our surroundings isn’t as drastic as in any other areas in the United States, I enjoy the autumn time because the leaves start changing color and I like the crunching feeling when I step over them while walking around. The seasons, in a way, reflect the impermanence of things in this earth. It has been a crazy year, and the past few months have been so filled and busy that I do have to hit pause at times and remind my heart to be joyful and to enjoy each season as it comes. Recently, both my grandmothers were diagnosed with some health issues and the past few weeks, both of them were rus...