I never noticed how incredibly blonde can be.... or perhaps how utterly clueless I can be. These last few weeks I've been really "blonde" and spacey!
For instance...the other night Chase, Joel, and I went grocery shopping at Care4 (An Asian Wal-mart). I went and got some spaghetti sauce while they got the noodles, and then I met up with them in the noodle isle and put the sauce in the cart. I then went on discussing with Chase how I had never eaten a certain type of instant noodle. Pretty soon I heard a soft Asian male voice. I, being me, didn't notice it right away. However, Chase did hear and told me that some one was trying to talk to me. I then proceeded to turn around and to my great "BLONDENESS" discovered that I had put the spaghetti sauce in this gentleman's cart and not ours. I assume my face was red, because the guys were trying hard not to laugh at that very moment! I don't think that I was helping the situation any by repeatedly saying under my breath (as if anyone BUT them could understand me!) " DON'T say anything!!!!!"
It's so wrong! Lately I haven't been able to understand a lot of what people have been saying, or I just get what they say mixed up! It's the worst with Chase... you'd think I needed a translator it's so bad! O.k. so I kind of do...that's what Tina's been doing. Joel just gives me "Joel looks" and laughs.... I can't really do anything about that one yet cause, I haven't mastered the art of scowling at him.... (GRRRRRRRR) one of these days though.... he’s going to get it!! Ike just sits there and thinks interesting thoughts in his head... I try not to guess what he's thinking in those moments of my embarrassment.... I might regret it if I do understand.... (wo de.... EMBARASSING!!!! AHHH... Those of you that don't understand this part of the conversation.... won't ever know!!! Hopefully?!! ) OH the blonde moments in life...what to do with them? Do you ever have days like that?
Yesterday I had the wonderful privilege of going shopping with one of my English teachers. (I'll call her Ally!) Ally has become a good friend that I really enjoy being with, and like anyone who has ever lived (or is currently living), life has been handing her ... shall we say “challenges” lately. Who hasn't had those seasons in life where you really have no idea what is happening in your life, or why things are happening? I know I've had my share of them and I'm only 22!
Ok! So right about now you maybe wondering, "How does her ‘blonde moments’ as well as her outing with a teacher relate? "Is there a point to this update?" Well ...yes there is!
As I've mentioned earlier, I've been quite baffled at the way I have been so ...not myself. I've been continually asking the Lord "Why me? Why now? Why did THAT happen? Is there a reason for my embarrassing moments?" *sigh*
I do have to say that what has happened to me the last couple of weeks HAVE been pretty funny. I shared my wonderful experiences with Ally last night; I don't think I've ever seen her laugh so hard. (Good thing no one was around us at McDonald's!) After the laughter had died down, she said to me "THIS is why I like to be with you! You are always making me laugh and you make life seem like it is fun. Like there is still hope!" Hearing that come from Ally made me want to cry, out of relief and joy. You see, just the week before she had shared with me about the problems she was facing, and told me that she was thinking about giving up with what life was handing her. Ally knows I am a Christian, and I've repeatedly told her that my source of joy comes from Jesus. I can do nothing in my own strength, even something like being happy all the time! Then it dawned in me, “To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven” Eccl. 3:1. All my "blonde moments" weren't accidents in God's eyes, those moments were put there for a purpose! As I sat there I realized that God had just used me and my quirky little stories to give Ally hope and strength to endure something that she wasn't sure she could do.
How many times have I prayed “Lord, use me today, let me be that vessel You work through to touch the lives of others!” How many times have I felt defeated at the end of the day thinking that I wasn't used by Him? Too many times, in that one moment I was humbled before my Lord.
Maybe we'll never see what all God uses us for, or how He does it, but He does use us, all the time.
"A girl, I want a girl." Ally said towards the end of the evening. That was it. My cries were heard before God's throne, and my prayer was answered. She wasn't going to give up anymore, and neither am I; someday she'll know my Savior as her own. I'm praying in faith!!!
Please continue to pray for us as we minister here. Thank you all, again for your prayers, encouragement, and support! Hearing from you does encourage all of us here, more then you'll ever know!
In case I don't write again before Christmas.......MERRY CHRISTMAS!
With much love,
Mai
Ying Pan Team, Nantou
Luke 1:37 "For with God nothing is impossible!"
