This week I had the opportunity to care for the little ones in our Zhengzhou Unit. It was lots of fun to be further out in the farm lands- I loved the area around the unit and of course getting to know lots more babies is always the best part of the job!
June 12, 2011
Dear Ones,
So today I was suddenly struck by the thought of work, you know that thing that we all do, most of us every day. Work is one of those things that motivate us to get out of bed in the morning, and keeps us moving forward until we once again fall into bed at night. I was thinking about this as I carried one kettle full of water after the other across the roof from the water faucet to my flower pots giving my little plants a drink. On one of these trips I suddenly thought of Rebecca- a young woman, who knew how to work but more than that she also had a heart to serve. I was considering how many trips I had to make across the roof from the water faucet and the thought of her willing question to Abraham’s servant, to draw water for a bunch of thirsty camels that had just finished a long journey suddenly seemed to me an incredible offer. This was a young woman who knew the price of what she was offering to do and yet she asked without hesitation- “Do you want me to draw water for your camels?” Sometimes work, chores, the mundane tasks of life, can seem to stretch before us endlessly to the horizon. This thought continued to play through my mind as I walked about this big house today, the women in the kitchen cooking massive amounts of food to make sure our family is well fed. The laundry room with its very ending stream of onesies, burp cloths, spit up on blankets and every other form of baby clothing you might imagine needing for 
140 children. My mom used to refer to the laundry as “Mount Never Rest,” and I do believe she was right. I guess it might be like watering camels after a desert journey, “Will it ever stop” and yet all this will pass away, the reward at the end will be so worth the WORK here and now. No, everyone may not see the watered camels, the food being prepared, the laundry being done, the floors that are mopped, or the dishes that are washed, but in working we have the opportunity to shine as we seek to serve not only those around us but to serve with our whole hearts the King of Kings. He alone knows exactly how many buckets of water it will take, and how many onesies will be washed, He has numbered them each one and is waiting for me to simply say, “Yes, I will work for You.”
With love,
Mariah
I awoke this morning with a "Sound of Music" song running through my mind...suddenly I could hear the words of Maria's song and see her as she stopped short in front of that gate staring up at that massive house and in that moment I knew exactly what she was feeling!
I spent the next couple of days with friends of mine in Beijing and loved every minute of the activity of once again being in a family filled with noise, and laughter, teasing, and conversation, love, and yes even a few moments with tears as we talked and shared with one another. All five of the children were home and what a bee hive of activity it was! Karen and I did spend some time at the most wonderful fabric market where she helped me stock up on some material so that my new sewing machine won't be bored...
I was really excited to have the opportunity to spend the 28th and 29th attending the BICF Women's Conference with friends.
May 20th-27th Our friends from Australia joined us here in the Big House for so wonderful times of worship, sharing, play, projects, and encouragement. It was fantastic! And we of course had to get a special photo of all of us in the Australian Nemo Room...
