November 2, 2009

November 1, 2009

Dear Loved Ones,
This has been a busy couple of weeks and I am sitting here sifting through the files of my heart and mind to pull out some of the moments I want to share with each of you. I had so many sweet notes about my fire drill- Thank you all, it was both fun and funny. After that few days along with sending another baby home to his Heavenly Father I was in need of more than just a break here, so on Friday night the 23rd I took the overnight train to Beijing to spend some time at the “Hope Foster Home Retreat.” It was a wonderful 5 days of renewing, refreshing, and resting with lots of fun thrown in. I visited Starbucks on multiple occasions to meet up with friends- yes I am really starting to have friends here!!! One morning early I even enjoyed a couple hours quietly just me and a good cup of coffee with my journal next to a glowing fire while I waited to meet up with people. There was an afternoon foot massage with Ms. Iris. Whoever decided that my neck and shoulders were attached to my feet was a genius! It was 80 minutes of pure relaxation. I think the best part was the fact that Ms. Iris and I were able to discuss so many “Heart” issues while we were pampered, we shared what we were studying, what we were learning, what our Heavenly Father was teaching each of us. It was such a wonderful time of renewing and refocusing. Then there was a trip to IKEA with my friend Katie. She was helping me work on making my room, at MBHOH, feel a little more like home and of course we both had a delightful time walking the Christmas aisles filled with their glittering decorated trees. I did get to do some other shopping as well which was fun but the most important thing that I had on my list of “to get items” was a nice baby doll, you see my sweet little Jaelynn has decided that she wants to be an Ayi when she grows up, she has been wrapping up her stuffed kitten for several weeks and telling us all about her “baby.” At 3 she is like so many other little girls and I was thrilled to bring her home her own baby, though she still finds her greatest delight in “helping” with the others. She wants the other bouncy seats slid close to her so she can help rock the other babies in our family. In amongst the shopping I also enjoyed a wonderful lunch on the veranda of a great restaurant with Rachel who works with the junior high and high school girls at CCC. The beautiful fall breeze was blowing as the bright sunshine warmed us. The time of fellowship and encouragement with another single young woman, whose heart is sold out to follow The ONE and ONLY, was an incredible breath of fresh air. By the end of my time I had my bags filled with treasures to take back to those waiting at home and my spirit was renewed to continue on toward the goal in the purpose for which I have been called- “For such a time as this…”
The time for departure arrived and I gathered together myself and began the trek back on the night train this time with two young girls 17 and 18 who have been spending some time in Beijing and were being sent to spend ten days with me at MBHOH. They have now been here 4 days and I am grateful that I still have several days left with them. I have been daily grateful for the incredible teaching which so many of you have instilled in my life as I am using every ounce of it pouring out on these young women who at this moment are having a hard time seeing where they fit into their Heavenly Father’s plan. Both raised in families where faith was part of their lives, they have little knowledge of what is contained between the covers of the Greatest Love Letter ever written. When you think of me and lift me up please remember them that I would have wisdom in my answers and responses to their questions and needs. But most of all that through this time they would realize their incredible value and the purpose for which they were created.

With Love,
Mariah