Today is the Day

I was awake at 4 am this morning. Who can sleep on a day like this??  I woke up to this verse as many of you who open YouVersion on your iPhone did (or maybe you won't until tomorrow morning):  "Those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love Him. That is how we know we are living in Him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did." (1 John 2:5, 6) I so want that to be true of me.

Then I opened to my daily reading NOT coincidentally to Genesis 32 where Jacob spent the night alone on his way to meet his brother Esau. That was the night he wrestled with the Angel of the Lord and it says in verses 25-28, "He, the angel, touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket. Then the man (angel) said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” “What is your name?” the man asked. He replied, “Jacob.” “Your name will no longer be Jacob,” the man told him. From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won.”

I immediately thought of Grace (of course) for so many reasons. I know she has had to have fought a lot already in her young life with pain and neglect.  And the story of Jacob's "hip dysplasia" to me reflects his determination to win the battle he faced. Then God rewards him for his courage and blesses him for the rest of his life!  As a sign or remembrance... God completely changes his name!! Not enough time here to go into all that means (and I'm sure I don't comprehend it all) but I believe Jacob (excuse me Israel) began a new journey with the Lord that day.

So is my prayer for Grace. Whom we will be privileged to meet TODAY!  May this be the first day of a new life for her, with a new name, and a new blessing upon her life!!

It's ALL for the glory of God!!

Here are a few photos of our second day of site seeing yesterday...

Tiananmen Square

The Forbidden City. Forbidden because it was the home

of the Emperor's of China and no one else was allowed there.

This is our guide in Beijing, Joan. Please pray with us for her salvation.

The Great Wall

It was quite a hike!

A "little" easier coming down!

"If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it." (Matthew 10:39)

"But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me." (Psalms 13:5)