But, no matter how much I hate that question, I do realize that I need to start thinking about my plans after school. I need to get a job, start earning money, and figuring out if I should go to college, and if so, what should I go for. I have been asking God soooo many
times for the past year, "What do you want me to do? Where do you want me to go?" I mentioned my many interests in the last post...yes. I have MANY. Or, should I say, *had*. A few weeks ago, I asked the Lord to narrow down my interests for me. I have gotten so frustrated trying to figure out what to do on my own. I wanted to just put it in the Lord's hands and have Him work. Well, the other day, I suddenly realized that yes, He had answered my prayer! All of those frivolous things have faded, except one which has been with me for many many years - sometimes in the back of my mind in a drawer, but I always pull it back out. China. I have been interested in this amazing country ever since I read the book "Heavenly Man", a wonderful true story about a Chinese preacher who sacrificed everything for the Gospel, and was greatly persecuted for it. (This book always makes my heart burn - it is DEFINITELY worth a read. Actually, like 10 reads. That's how many times I've read it. ;)) Nothing has ever seemed so right to me before. I have never before had a desire feel so real - to go to China as God's messenger. Could it possibly be that this is what God wants me to do with my life? I'm not completely sure, but it almost seems like my "destiny". Like everything in my life has led up to it. Nontheless, I am preparing now. I am starting to read books about it's history, its government, and it's religions. Oh, and I'm starting to learn the language. Not formally (like, a class and textbooks), but little by little, with the help of a friend and a great website called chinese-tools.com. :) It starts with the basics! You may say, "Chinese is one of the hardest languages in the world; are you sure it's worth it?" For Christ, anything is worth it. Nothing has ever driven me so hard before. I am determined. I will learn at least one symbol a day; it's a start! (I already know the symbols for "Ni hao!", "Zai jian!", "ma", "da", and "ba". ;) It's EXCITING! Really!!!) >insert yay here>
And for those of you who know me and my interests. There may very well be that thought in your head: "Uh oh, here she goes on another one of her kicks. How long will this one last?" Well, this one has lasted for at least 6 years, it's just that God has narrowed my mind down to it recently and is telling me to take action. Just know, I won't give up easily. I really believe that this just might be my destiny. I'm not trying to sound serious. I am serious.
to infinity and beyond!:)
~bethany :)
One word: Awesome! Northland actually gets involved with "missions trips" to China every summer. I put it in quotations because they're missions trips, but not in the normal sense that we think of missions trips. They go into China and work in the schools to teach English. These arean't English majors that go on these trips, but regular students. They go in to teach English, but they share the gospel with the students as they have the opportunity, and will even read Bible stories to them to help them understand English better.
ReplyDeleteI'm not suggesting that this means you should go to Northland (although that would be cool!), but if you could get involved in something like this, that would be a great opportunity for you to experience the kind of work that Christians are doing in China to bring the gospel to such a restricted country.
Wow, that is sooo awesome!! That sounds like that would be a great opportunity! I've definitely thought about Northland, but I'm still kinda.... "college-shopping". :D I'm thinking about doing a Chinese major (studying everything from its literature and history to the language) but not many colleges that I know of, at least, have that. Aghhh, decisions decisions. :P Well anyway, thank you for letting me know about this!! :D
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