What is Yet to Be

I Praise You For What Is Yet To Be
Ted Loder, Guerillas of Grace

Wondrous Worker of Wonders,
I praise you
not alone for what has been,
or for what is,
but for what is yet to be,
for you are gracious beyond all telling of it.

I praise you
that out of the turbulence of my life
a kingdom is coming,
is being shaped even now
out of my slivers of loving
my bits of trusting
my sprigs of hoping
my tootles of laughing
my drips of crying
my smidgens of worshiping;
that out of my songs and struggles,
out of my griefs and triumphs,
I am gathered up and saved,
for you are gracious beyond all telling of it.

I praise you
that you turn me loose
to go with you to the edge of the now and maybe,
to welcome the new,
to see my possibilities,
to accept my limits,
and yet begin living to the limit
of passion and compassion
until,
released by joy,
I uncurl to other people
and to your kingdom coming,
for you are gracious beyond all telling of it.

A New Journey

Well, this blog has been a long time coming.  It has only taken me leaving the country to finally make it happen.  I ask for your patience as I enter this new blogging world.  I make no promises of weekly entries, but I am excited for the opportunity this will provide to connect with all y'all.  Here goes!

In February this year I traveled to Changchun China with friends that teach English to Chinese University students.  I helped them carry luggage and move into a new apartment after they were home in Minnesota for a year to have their first child.  I was in China for a week, and my only intention was to help my friends.  Little did I know there would be a stirring in my heart upon my return to the States to pursue the opportunity to teach English in China.  In a matter of 2 weeks, I contacted the organization headquarters, applied to the University Teaching Program, had an interview and was accepted to the program.  With joy I share the good news that I have committed to teach English in China from July 2013 - July 2015!

I am headed to Hohhot, in the northern region of China, west of Beijing.  Hohhot is a city of 3 million people, which is considered rural for China.  It just so happens to be the Dairy Capital of China, which seems fitting for a Wisconsinite!  I will be teaching English at the Inner Mongolia University of Technology.  I will most likely teach freshmen and sophomores for approximately 12 hours in the classroom per week, with ample time to foster intentional relationships with the University's students.  The students generally have a fair grasp of the English language.  I will serve on a team of 4 teachers.  I will have my own apartment, and my team will all live in the same building.  We will work together on a daily basis.  There is a second team of teachers at a different University in Hohhot.  The two teams will gather on a weekly basis for fellowship and training.  Together the two teams total 15 adults and 7 children.  There is a good mix of veterans and new teachers amongst the teams.

I am thrilled that for the next two years I will absorb China's rich, vibrant culture, language, foods and customs.  I am eager to meet the demand for English teachers in China, as English fluency has become the path to a better life for students and their families.  I am even more eager to show them the Love that I have been given.

I look forward to sharing this journey with you!