This is the Day the Lord has made

As millions around this country remember today as Earth Day, I'm reminded how the One True God created this earth and all that is in it.  I've been studying the book of Genesis with about one hundred ladies since September (see B.S.F.) and love to ponder and wonder how great God's love for us and all living creatures.

Last week, I heard Sophia saying that if she sees a spider, bug or other creep crawlies, she would panic a bit, then try to kill it.  It made me think how when we are motivated by fear, we can do violent and dishonoring things to God's creation.  It was only a week ago that two brothers planned and executed a bombing in Boston as the Boston Marathon race was finishing.  It wasn't the number of people who died that was shocking, but that it happened on a non-political and popular occasion.  My pastor astutely quoted someone in his sermon related to this bombing as "look for the helpers" that God sends in such crises.  This means the emergency rescue people, marathon runners giving blood immediately after running for miles, quick acting communications people helping to protect the public from possible further attacks.  God's mercy is that great! I believe that looking for the good that only comes from God gives everyone hope.  That is the Easter message and the Gospel=good news in Christ!

We call this Earth Day, but the power of the Lord is behind creation; not some "mother nature" or god with a small "g".  An example of the unfathomable nature of God's creation is the earthquake in Sichuan, China.  It is a tragedy that this happened, and I pray that the people of that region will welcome help, not only physical, but spiritual.  I'm not trying to interpret why God allows for large earthquakes and countless people suffering, but that it is up to God, and Him alone that acts.  We humans are not in control, nor should be.  Our job given to Adam and Eve was to care for God's living creatures.  I'm a bit rambling here, but I truly love resting in the fact that God cares for us more than we can imagine.  Therefore, let us not panic and senselessly kill or seek retribution.  For ours is not to seek revenge, but reconciliation and restoration with the Holy Spirit's leading. I pray specifically for the followers of Christ there use this opportunity to minister and help the people seek Christ and learn to know that Jesus is alive in China, in Taiwan, and the rest of the world.

A few weeks ago, a missionary with IVCF mobilized her group at the local university to walk around with a large sign about taking a stand about human trafficking (See ZOE or Mercy Project).  I end this post with several statistics on human trafficking and AIDS to put the tragedies in Boston, in China and other places in perspective.

500,000 prostitutes in Brazil are under 20 years of age
100,000 American kids are being trafficked..right now.
17,011 people who died of AIDS in the US in 2005 (from World Vision)
6,000 children will lose a parent to AIDS today (every day; worldwide)
Human trafficking is No 2 (soon No. 1) highest criminal activity in the US because it's more lucrative than drug trafficking.


JUSTICE belongs to our God.

One month already?

 April fun can best be described with pictures.  Take a look!

Relatives from out of state came for a quick overnight visit.  Welcome Colin, Reece and Keri!

The Thompson family, Cousin Jenny, Iris and Mommy (Cindy) on April 10th

Another Art de la Table meal at school.  I liked the spaghetti with meatballs!

Look at my tooth; it's gone!  The first tooth fell out while eating pudding.  The fairy tooth came and left four quarters! 

But now, where's my tooth?  Boo hoo!

Inside Grace Cathedral. 

A choir festival with Sophia's school choir. She's on the far right, middle row.

Girls just wanna have fun!

 

Sophia with Kim and David; first host parents who are Rotary members.

Hand painting at the garden.  We were too hot to stay for the lion dance.

Face painting, too.  See my unicorn?

Iris paid close attention as she petted a snake at the reptile rescue booth.

Welcoming a High Schooler

What does a parent do with a 17-year-old and a 5-year-old at the same time? 

It was the second day with our new "daughter" Sophia in our home.  After a quick and yummy lunch at a Chinese student's house in Windsor, we drove onto a ranch where we visited a friend's horse for some time in the country.  The horse's name was happy and my friend, Kathleen, was very kind to give each girl time to ride on the horse.  It was a gloriously sunny day to be outside.  Iris's school friend, Scarlett, and her mom met us there. 

The next day, I planned a visit to a baseball game where Sophia and I met Ruth, Matthew and Ruth's co-workers for some expensive hot dogs and cheering fun.  After the game, Sophia met my parents with whom we got to speak more Taiwanese.  On the way home, we picked up Indian Naan and curry to eat at home.  It was a full day for Brian and Iris alone.

The following week, on April 6th was to a Japanese friend's home where we admired a true doll display for "hinamatsuri" or Girls' Day.  It was made even more memorable because we ate inari sushi with miso-soup.  Yum!  Later that day, I took Sophia to get a facial at a friend's home.  It was long and relaxing for Sophia.

A wonder mask?!

I pray that Sophia "jie-jie" will feel at home with us, as well as see the power Jesus at work in our lives.  What a blessing God gives me with these two lovely "daughters of the King"!