Friday, June 24, 2011

Beauty for Ashes

Here we go.. attempt numero uno at blogging! All thanks goes to my dear friend Anna for bugging me to start one of these.. we'll see how long it lasts :)

I made it to Southeast Asia! It's so very fun to be back here. In so many ways it feels just like I've never left.. like the whole past year of my life hasn't happened and I'm just picking right back up where I left off. Same sweet (ha) smell, same precious faces, same honking horns all night.. and here I am right back in the middle of it. The Lord is so good to me- I don't know how I ever deserved the gift of getting to know and come to this place but I am SO grateful that I do.

We spent our first day just getting used to jet-lag, meeting some of the other people we'll be traveling with, and then we got to attend the 100th year of the gospel celebration. It was sooo incredible- thousands of Southeast Asians all in one room celebrating how the Lord has come to their country! We got to sit in the front row and just take it all in.. My favorite moment was singing "Great is Thy Faithfulness" with them, in two different languages.. I can't help but think that I know nothing about faithfulness compared to the voices singing in the other language.

I had a lot of time to read, think, and pray on the plane ride over and one song that I really listened to was Beauty for Ashes by Shane and Shane. (thanks Carrie :) )
Beauty for Ashes. You are better. Take this heart of stone and make it yours. 

These words quickly became my prayer. Over and over I listened to them- I want that. I want to believe  that God is better.. better than me. Better than my desires, my pride, my stuff. Better than what the world tells me is good. Isaiah 55 says "LISTEN and I will give you what is good. Listen, and you will find life." My prayer is that I let God tell me He is better, and I find in Him goodness and life, not so that my life is better.. but so that others know him and find life. I want the sweet people of this nation to know Him and find life so much.

You are better.. than all the world.



 
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6 comments:

  1. Amy V.June 24, 2011 at 9:22 AM

    Awwww they are so precious! Thanks for sharing with us!! Safe travels and we can't wait to see tons more photos!!!

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  2. anna c.June 24, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    YAAAAAAAYYYYY!!! so so excited you got a blog! this is beautiful and exactly why i wanted you to start one :) update often if you can!

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  3. JohnJune 24, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    Very nice A...love your heart. Look forward to see how our Lord expands your....World!
    Love you,
    Dad

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  4. MollyJune 25, 2011 at 4:19 PM

    i love blogs...i am excited to find your new one!! cant wait to see what jesus does in your heart!!

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  5. BridgetJune 26, 2011 at 6:25 AM

    Amanda, you are such a blessing. God has spoken through you to me so many times. I love you.

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  6. TYJune 27, 2011 at 12:42 PM

    Amanda Jean, you make me so proud to call you friend. Your heart for these children is so precious! You are truly a blessing to everyone around you. Take care of yourself, love the fire outta those babies, and THEN come home to us--we already miss you.

    Love you and praying for a mighty move of God over there.

    TY

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