Encouraging letter

Happy 24.5th birthday to me! Crazy to think that soon I'll be a quarter century old!

I've been resting at home a lot, and was really thankful that we actually had MLK Day off. That is the only other national holiday besides Christmas and Thanksgiving that IU gives us. We don't even get Labor Day off...

Another great book I've been reading lately (textbooks don't count) is "Lies that Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free." Thanks, baby sister Andrea for mailing it to me! I've already been mulling and praying over a lot of different things.

Yesterday was sunny for the first time in about 100 years, and the snow was beginning to melt enough that I could go for a fairly decent walk without falling into a pile of snow. When I headed home I remembered to check my mailbox. There was a lone letter in there with stamps plastered all over it. It looked like it had literally traveled all the way around the world. It was from my dearest Chinese friend and sister, Reborn. It only took the letter 6 weeks to get to me! Good job, China!

If you ever received a letter from me while I was in China, you'll remember that Chinese envelopes and glue are so horrible. It took me about 10 minutes to open it without shredding everything to pieces. Her letter was entombed in the envelope. Inside Reborn had written in her signature blue pen and cute handwriting. She wrote such a heartfelt, and encouraging letter on the very thin Blue Sky University paper that looks like it will disintegrate in your hands. She also tucked several pictures inside. I will treasure them forever, of course.

As I was sitting there reading and re-reading her letter, I was again reminded of the Father's everlasting, wonderful love. I have had many friends, but Reborn was certainly one of my closest. We are definitely kindred spirits. God created such a strong, meaningful friendship between two girls of vastly different cultures and backgrounds. She became an even dearer sister when she became a believer, and she helped my faith grow so much by her encouragement, honesty, and openness. Somehow we could understand each other really well.

I miss her so much, but hopefully with His Spirit, I can continue to build strong, meaningful relationships with those around me here in America. Someday I hope to return to China, but for now He has placed me here.

I thought I could share a few sweet and encouraging words she wrote:

She talked about the scarf my mom had made for Reborn's grandma: "My grandma take the scarf which our baby American mom makde for her everyday and she said 'This is made from American woman. She treat so well to me.' She always said that, and my grandma, and my mom are so thankful for our baby American mom. Thank her! Yes, thank for our baby American mom."

In our letters or emails we share encouraging verses from the Word. We have also talked about waiting on Him to provide us with husbands and not being anxious or getting too far ahead of the Father. She said, "Here is Word I wanna share with you! We need it! From Song of Songs chapter 2:7: 'Do not arouse or awaken love until is so desires.' So let's look forward to that together."

On the back of a picture from a lake she wrote: "Don't you think the scene is really beautiful? I like the boat so much! I wanna sit in the boat and imagine I'm the fair maiden in Qing dynasty." I guess that's similar to wanting to be a Disney princess in America or something.

And as closing words of wisdom and her perpetual concern that I will never get a boyfriend because I am too shy or something, she advised me, "Have more words or communicate with the boy who you like!"

So there you are. Please continue to think of her that she would stand firm and steadfast in Him!

Baby Reborn's baby letter.