June First-Lasts

This morning, my alarm went off as usual, and-as usual-I pushed the snooze button to sleep for five more minutes. I was awakened after only two minutes by one small thought that sent my head whirling: It's June First. Can it be that our five-and-a-half months of serving overseas has dwindled down to a measly twenty-nine days? At first, I thought that my heart would be happy to hear this news, but that wasn't the case. 

All morning, I've been thinking of friends I've talked to who have yet to receive the saving love of our Sav*or, and of the fellowship I've been able to have with other bel*evers here, and my heart just breaks. Like Mary at the tomb, I just want to fall to the ground and shed tears over what I'm losing as I look into the dark space. For Mary, that dark space was the mysteriously empty tomb. For me, it's June 30th-our departure date. How sorrowful among women we would both be had Mary not encountered Jesµs that morning! Her story reminds me that there's more going on here than what I can see. You see, Mary's sorrow (as mine is today) was based off of what her human mind could comprehend. It was only when Jesµs came to her and called her by name that her eyes were opened to the glorious plan of Our Father! Because of her experience, I know that that same plan is the one that is guiding my life today. G0d's plan to save the lost brought us to South Asia, and is sending us home at the end of this month. Of this I am confident, and that's why I can rejoice! 

There are a lot of "lasts" that we will be experiencing (last conversations, last village trip, last cup of delicious coffee...), but we know that G0d has it all under control! Praise be to Him!!

Please continue to pr*y for those friends who are being sought after by G0d and that His timing would be perfect in their lives. Also, pray for us, that we can fa*thfully continue to "run the race" all the way to the finish line!

Some of you might be wondering, "What do James and Ali do for fun?" or, "Do they ever have free time?" You will be interested to know that we are knee-deep in writing the second chapter of a novel! The idea came from James' ever-imaginative and amazing mind. About a month ago, he showed us (me, Ryan and Cameron) a picture of a superhero he created named Wolfman. After seeing that first picture, the four of us sat around the dinner table and excitedly discussed Wolfman's backstory. What would he be like? What would be that tragic happenstance that would draw him to a life of fighting crime? Who is his worst enemy? It was not long after the second conversation of that kind that James was choreographing fight scenes. He would do one move at a time, and I would excitedly type them out for Wolfman to use in defense against his foes. Needless to say, this novel is going to be pretty amazing, and I hope that you are as excited about it was the rest of us are. I look forward to telling you more about Wolfman as he progresses... who knows? Maybe someday you'll even be holding a hard copy of it in your hands in the middle of Barnes&Noble. You'll smile to yourself as your thumb runs over the gold "Best Book Ever Award" sticker on the top right corner and think to yourself, "they did it." ...Or maybe not. 

Obviously, that's not all we do in our free time (otherwise there would be more than two chapters written...), but that example was to give you a little taste of our lives here. :) 

Until next time. We love you.

Seasons - In and Out

Well, it's officially hot. At the beginning of our time here, we would sometimes comment on the warmth of the day. The response would always be, "you just wait, it gets WAY hotter!" Turns out, they were right. We've been experiencing this "summer" weather for a little over a month now. Just a few days ago, this city hit its highest temperature in fifty years! I have never more appreciated a cool drink of water, or the work of a rickshaw wallah! Those guys pedal and sweat all day long for much less than what we would call "minimum wage". James took this ^ picture a while back of the rickshaw wallahs in action! See the guy in the light blue shirt? Let's just say, that if this picture was taken yesterday, it would be a DARK blue shirt!

With the coming of the hot season came the end of the semester with our friends at the university. It was a good semester, filled with new friends and intentional conversations. It was good to see G0d work by bringing so many people into our lives. In this break time, we've really had a chance to step back and see which of our friends are really interested in the Good News that we're sharing, or those who just like to talk to us. Although we love them all, we know that the reason we're here is to talk to people who the H0ly Sp*rit has already been preparing. James and I have both taken this past week to be intentionally seeking out our friends and getting an idea of who's who. Since my time here, I have written down the names of all the ladies I've met and shared with. Among those thirty or so, there are ten who have shown true interest at one time or another. Not just in me, but in the Good News as well. I've been working from this list of ten ladies, and crying out to G0d that He would reveal Himself to them (along with the other names I've written down over the past few months).

One of the friends on my "ten's list" is a girl named Mary (that's not her real name... I'm not even sure if I have to disguise her name at all, but since everyone else does it, I'll just err on the side of caution). Mary was brought to my attention by our housemate, Cameron (uh oh...that IS his real name, but I know I've used it before in my blog posts... please don't stalk him or anything, cyber world), who had met her, shared with her, and been encouraged by the interest she showed in what he was saying. She made it clear to him that her family rel*gion didn't seem to her like it was "the true rel*gion". I talked to her for about an hour one day, and, like Cameron, was glad to hear that she was really seeking something real. It seemed, however, that she had more of an "anything that seems right to me must be the truth" mentality. As we talked, I became increasingly discouraged, seeing that she was listening, but not hearing. 

I contacted Mary this past week, and set up a time to meet again. I knew that her response to our conversation would end one of two ways: 1) She would hear the Good News and come close to (if not, arrive at) a restored relationship with her Creator, or 2) I would see that her heart was not seeking or accepting the Truth of Jesµs and would have to move on down the list to the next girl I'd been pr*ying for. As much as I wish I could talk and talk until people started believing, I know that those walls can't be broken down just by me. Their hearts need to be soft enough for the Truth to speak into. If I spend all of my time with one person who will never believe, I might miss two or three who really are ready for the Good News. 

Mary and I sat and talked over coffee for almost three hours. I trembled over my latté, feeling the weight of the conversation, yet knowing that I wasn't the one speaking. I remember thinking, "wow, this is easy... how is this conversation flowing so well?" Obviously, the H0ly Sp*rit had His hand in the conversation, and was speaking through me directly into Mary's heart. After a while, Mary and I arrived at one of the hardest concepts to understand in Chr*stianity: the Triune G0d. Sure, we know that -in its most simple form- it's Jesµs who dies for our sins, G0d who reigns over us, and the H0ly Sp*rit who lives and moves within us, but how can we explain worshipping all three as one to someone who has never heard of anything like it? Mary's reaction to the explanation was extraordinary. "Oh!" She said excitedly, "I never before understood how I could worship both Jesµs and All*h, but now I understand that they are the same!" Ladies and gentlemen, if this was not a clear sign that Mary's heart was very near the Kingdom, I don't know what is! It was that easy for her to understand something so difficult. It was like her blindfolded eyes had finally seen the light. Our time closed as Mary explained to me that she wanted to believe, but it was difficult for her to follow. This week could be the hardest, most confusing time of Mary's life. Please pr*y for her as she reads G0d's word and seeks His truth. If she decides to follow, she will certainly face persecution. From her family, her friends and her school-mates. Not only that, but the culture in which she's been living her entire life will flip upside down. Being from a Chr*stian background, I have absolutely no idea what that must feel like. Yet, being saved from the darkest night and brought into marvelous light, I also know that this decision is the best she will ever make. She will no longer be a part of her old culture, but she will be adopted into the only culture that means anything in eternity: that of the Kingdom of G0d. 

Mary was the first of two very encouraging meetings I've had this week. As Jesµs once told a man who was seeking truth, these two girls are "not far from the kingdom of G0d." Please, join me in begging our R*ghteous Judge and Merciful Sav*or to show them His truth; to open their eyes, and bring them to Himself. 

As I write, I pray that the weight of eternity will hang heavy on our shoulders and that we will be fa*thfully proclaiming the most important Truth the people of this world will ever hear. 

Thank you for your fa*thfulness. Until next time.

Goodness Everywhere! - Evidence.

This past week or so, I've been dealing with what some would call a "sickness". I would call it a "seemingly never ending cycle of pain and annoyance". Pain, because of the coughing and small, white creatures in the back of my throat. Annoyance, because of the fact that every morning, I open my eyes and wonder if this will be the day I get to go back to "work", and am quickly told my body that the answer is a big, fat no. 

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the end of the sob-story. G0d is resoundingly good. Perfect. Fa1thful. Because of these reasons, I began writing this post, not to complain to you about my momentary "sorrow" (not to be compared to the sorrow which was suffered for us upon the cr0ss).  I have seen evidences of this fa1thfulness, perfection and goodness in many ways this week (yes, even in the midst of boo-hooing to myself, watching youtube videos, and taking the less-than-delicious syrup which was prescribed to me by the doctor). And THAT is the reason I write. Not to glorify my own sad state, but to bring glory to the One who actually deserves it!

Exhibit A: James Everett. I had rarely gotten sick back in the states, and even then the sickness would only last a day or two, so this past week, James has seen the nitty gritty of it all. Boy, oh boy, can that man take care of his lady! He is an amazing picture of Chr1st loving the Chµrch. Not just the "laying down His life" part that we read about (which, of course, is the most important part... without that, we wouldn't have any of the rest of it!), but the nurturing love and constant care that Chr1st shows His bride, as well. James has shown such patience and sweet gentleness to me, and I thank G0d for His Fa1thfulness in providing for me with such an amazing husband. 

Exhibit B: It's hot. Seriously. I had some idea of what it would be like before we got here, but I didn't have... you know... the WHOLE idea. Well, I do now. And it's hot! The apartment that we share with our two friends, Ryan and Cameron has one air conditioner. Luckily for us, it's placed in the master bedroom – where James and I sleep. At first, we were sleeping with our door open, so the cool air would float across to R&C's room. But after a few nights, we realized that this technique was only letting the wall of hot air into our room. It was finally decided that we needed another a/c. We had made arrangements to pay for it, and have it installed when someone pointed out a recent vacancy in our apartment building. A sweet family (and good friends of ours) had just moved back to the states where they will soon (like, REALLY soon!) have their 4th baby, and start a new job. Their apartment is two floors down from ours, and is complete with TWO a/cs. One in each room!  After getting permission, we spent all day today moving ourselves into our second abode (when I say, "we" I mean, "James, Ryan and Cameron" I was about as useful as a pet goldfish... did I mention how thankful I am for my husband?). So, let's do the math: two homes in less than 3 months. WHAT?? We weren't even sure where we were going to live a week before we got here, and now we're living in a place BETTER than what we were originally provided with. Does that amaze anyone else? That the G0d of the universe would care about 4 little humans who were uncomfortable in the hot climate He created? Haha! Thank you, wonderful, merciful Sav1or, for giving us every day comforts ON TOP of the ultimate gift of salvat1on. How happy we should be to merely be adopted into G0d's family, yet His goodness continues throughout each and every day!!

As you can probably tell, there is a moral to this post: let's all take a little more time investigating G0d's goodness instead of complaining in the face of small adversities. There is something much bigger going on here... and that something is going to end with us falling on our faces in front of our victorious King! 

My Glory is Before Thee - A New Song

People do silly things when they're tired. In my case a couple nights ago, those silly things included crying big, hot, baby tears (not, "baby" like the cute, snuggly kind... baby like, "you're a big baby" baby). Come to think of it, being tired is just a poor excuse for having a bad attitude. I'm beginning to realize that I use that excuse a lot.Yuck. Well, now's as good a time as any to stop (you can keep an eye on me for that!). Anyway, as I laid in bed, I shuffled through a list of things that bothered me. My back aches...I'm so tired...my neck hurts. The list went on and on. My old, sinful flesh wanted to be miserable. I was reminded, however, that I have a Comforter. That the One who is leading me is greater than any discomfort I might face. I wondered what Jesµs would say to me had He been sitting on my bedside. As I contemplated the words He might say, He answered my restless heart with a song. Melody and all, as if Jesµs was singing to me Himself: "Stand firm, My glory is before thee." What a breath of fresh air! I mulled over the words I had just received, and my heart was immediately quieted. Stand firm. Hold your ground. Don't give up. My glory is near. Yes, it is before thee. What can compare to the glory of the King? Can my sadness, or list of discomforts lessen His goodness? It was as if I had been sitting in my pile of sorrows, and my Sav1or lifted my head so I could see His glory shining with all the colors of the morning! 

I rolled over in my bed to where the computer was and, with the backlight set on its lowest setting so as not to disturb my sleeping husband, I typed out the line which had refreshed my sp1rit. But I couldn't stop there. I would roll over to close my eyes, and a whole new verse would slip into my mind. It was 2am when my mind settled, and there was no more to type.  Sure, maybe later there will be more verses to add, but for now, I have this beautiful song that is the promise of my Sav1or's goodness.

Stand firm, my Glory is before thee

Take heart for I AM Lord of all

In Me find joy and peace abounding

For I have ransomed thy soul

He who, for me was pierced and broken

Now sits upon His rightful throne

And I, though just  a lowly servant

Will soon come to Him atoned

Pain hath no fight

Nor death its victory

When Jesus Christ

Be in whose name I plea

Then only life 

And love I find in Him

He whose strife

Bought my redemption

Balentime's Day!

As some of you may know, - as if America would let you forget - this past Friday was Valentine's Day. Though James and I were aware of the fact, we hadn't really planned anything special (apart from a greeting card which I had smuggled from the States). Apparently, this was a big faux pas - it being our first V-day being married and all - so we were forced to plan a date for ourselves. Ryan and Cameron, our flatmates, made it abundantly clear that they wouldn't be available to hang out with us (they were going to see a movie without us... rude), so we made our way to a nice restaurant in a busy part of the city. James led me to a table situated right next to a floor-to-ceiling glass window which overlooked the busy, brightly-lit traffic circle. It was absolutely lovely.
We had almost the whole restaurant to ourselves (a part from the one other couple who I caught snapping a few photos of us on their phones...the price we pay for being white), and we sat and talked for at least 2 hours enjoying our Valentine's meal. 

Being a bit of a plan-maker, I did some research before our date of some good, intentional conversation starters for married couples. There's something tricky about spending every hour of everyday with someone and still having to come up with new information to talk about over dinner. I had a sneaking suspicion that "look at that person down there" and "this food is delicious" wasn't exactly going to carry us through our entire date. The list consisted of some fun questions, some "I feel *this* when I..." statements, and even some activities for us to do together. Out of this list, we invented a game that any married couple (or any couple for that matter) could use on a dinner date.

I may have started his eyes a little too small..

We had a lot of fun with our list, as well as some really intentional conversations. I even learned things about James that I probably never would've even thought to ask without that beautiful list! Our all-time favorite number from the list was #16, which read, "Draw your spouse to the best of your ability". It probably took a good 15-30 minutes for each of us, and we laughed and laughed as we watched ourselves come to life with one stroke, and then become hideous with 

me...

another. In the end, our waiter deemed James' drawing the better of the two, then we paid our bill and made our way home. We picked up some ice cream from the grocery store where I was given a flower from the door man.There's nothing better than receiving a flower on V-day. Especially from a stranger...

Once home, we found a heart-shaped container filled with candy, two Kit-Kats, and Crunchie candy bar waiting for us on the table with a note from Ryan and Cameron wishing us a happy Valentine's Day. It was beautiful. 

Thanks, guys.

So, that was our Valentine's Day. It was wonderful and beautiful and it left us wanting more. G0d has been gracious in giving us to each other and teaching us to love like He does. At our wedding, there was a board that said, "I have found the one my soul loves" from the verse in Song of Solomon. I'm here to tell you that I have not only found him, but I get to spend every day with him. Thank you, Jesµs.

.............................................................................................

the game

 ~Start with a list of questions, statements and activities.

 (feel free to use ours, or make up your own!)

 ~The game starts when your spouse holds the list, and you pick a number on that list (in our case, the numbers were 1-16, since we only had 16 questions on our list). 

 ~They will read it aloud, and act accordingly. For instance, if the number they read is a question, you will be the one to answer it. If the number is an "I" statement, they will just finish the statement themselves. The activities are for you to do together. 

~Switch off every time so you both have opportunities to talk and as questions.

Enjoy!

the list

1. My funniest memory of our dating days is when...

2. What's the best vacation you had as a kid?

3. What was your favorite childhood cartoon?

4. When we fell in love, my favorite thing about you was...

5. What was the most scared you've ever been?

6. Do your best imitation of your spouse dancing.

7. My favorite memory from our wedding day is...

8. What one thing do you miss for our dating years? 

(the conversation that follows should be what you can do to bring that back into your relationship since, obviously, marriage should be and is better than dating.) 

9. I used to always wish I could...

10. What was the best halloween costume you've ever had?

11. Guess each other's favorite movie.

12. Where do you think our most romantic kiss was?

13. I like it best when you refer to me as...

14. What is one toy you wanted as a kid but never got?

15. I feel most loved by you when you...

16. Draw your spouse to the best of your ability.

Gift - Merry Christmas...and Thank You

"Every good gift and perfect gift is from above,

coming down from the Father of lights with whom 

there is no variation or shadow due to change."

1T1mothy 1:17

I was in high school when I fully realized the faith and trust it took to run a household solely on "gifts" like the ones mentioned above. It was then that I also realized that there was no better way to live. I remember a few instances of praying around the table for provision and, in faith, thanking our Jeh0va Jireh, for the gifts we knew He would bring. I remember a specific time when that prayer was offered with a sense of urgency. Within the week, a $10,000 check showed up in the mail. A sticky note was attached to the generous donation, giving thanks for the faithfulness of Mel LaMar Ministries. But the note wasn't addressed to Dad alone. The note included my name, too. My heart was flooded with thankfulness, as well as an overwhelming sense of unworthiness. I remember weeping as I read my name, knowing I didn't deserve any recognition or blessing for my small part, yet feeling G0d's grace as He showered me with both. Wow. 

  My heart is filled with the same blessing now, five years later, as my husband and I prepare to follow our Savior's call. We have received many generous gifts and commitments to pr*y as we endeavor to raise $7,500 for our 6-month trip to S. Asia. With each new gift, our hearts are encouraged by the faithfulness of G0d's people and His provision for our lives. Thank you. So, so very much. Merry Christmas, and may you be blessed.

**If you'd like to know how you can be involved, whether in pr*yer or with a gift, please let me know**

R-E-S-P-E-C-T -- find out what it means...To THEM!

seriously...

Recently, James and I decided that it would be fun if I had a pixie cut. It took a while to get that ponytail chopped off (I'd been growing it out since I was 16), but almost two hours later, I looked like a dark-haired Tinkerbell (in hairstyle alone... I wouldn't be caught dead looking at myself in a tiny green tutu dancing on top of a mirror - such an unflattering angle). 

Initially, I was worried that it was too different, that people wouldn't like the change. What shocked me more than their enthusiastic acceptance of my new 'do was their surprise that James did the deed himself. People would say things like, "James did that?? Wow, you must really trust him" or "You must have been soo nervous!"  Honestly, the thought that James might mess up my hair didn't even cross my mind. 

Okay, okay. I realize, of course, that probably most of those comments were meant as jokes, or in genuine awe that James could be so good and something he'd never done before. I would also like to point out that this is in no way an "I'm a better woman than you" blogpost (yuck)! All I'm saying is that after SO many comments (my personal favorite, "I would NEVER let my husband do that!"), I was faced with a question: where did this general distrust of men - of husbands - come from?  

James can attest to my vehement hatred for the joke about how G0d created man -- then He had a better idea (or any number of jokes along the same line). We as women have given ourselves over to a skewd view of the "equality" given to us because we live in America. Our T.V. Shows, some of our music, even our children's books make men out to be the silly, brainless gender and definitely NOT the heads of their households. Suddenly, instead of equality, we have superiority, and I know that this is definitely not what was intended at creation. Let's not conform ourselves to the patterns of this world - where men are idiots and women are better - but let's be transformed into what we were meant to be from the start. 

Yes, I trust my husband. No, I wasn't afraid when he chopped off my hair. He is not brainless or dimwitted.  I don't look at his mistakes and think, "Oh, James, ever the simple-minded kook," because I know beyond all doubt that that is not his character. Instead of joking about men's "inferiority", let's celebrate their strength, masculinity and the fact that THEY were created to be large and in charge! 

Proof.