Leaving Home

Today we leave Grace's province and fly to Guangzhou. In Guangzhou she will be seen by a US doctor before entering into the US, we'll have a final paperwork party to gather everything for the Consulate and we'll end our time in Guangzhou with an oath taking ceremony.

The past few days have been dragging. We're thankful for the time to rest but we've become a little stir crazy. We don't enjoy getting out much because of the smoke and smog but we don't like being in the hotel for days either (nor does Grace). We're anxious for our flight tonight at 7 pm.

This will be Grace's first time to fly. I wonder what she'll think. And I wonder if she knew we were about to leave her home how she would feel. Thank you for praying with us.

I read today and these verses take on such new meaning as I think of Grace. I think that's why Matthew 13:34 says, "Jesus always used stories and illustrations (parables) when speaking to the crowds." So they could relate and see His ways more clearly...

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches." (13:31-32)

Oh how I pray that Grace, our tiny little girl, grows and flourishes into a tree of righteousness where her life even one day inspires others to find rest too!

And in verse 44, "Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure (boy is she!!) that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field."

We are so blessed today!  She's worth it all. We wouldn't take "nothing" for this journey.

"Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, 'Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.'" Luke 18:16 NLT