forever You are with us, forever

3 months!! today makes 3 months that i've been in HK. i know i always say it but, i can't believe it! things are going well. i struggle less with homesickness as the days go by and i am so thankful for that. i am still counting down the days till i get to see my family for Christmas and eat some mexican food!

we had about a week of cooler weather and now it's back to being hot and humid. tomorrow is thanksgiving! i have plans to celebrate with the loudin family and a few others. i thought it would be so very difficult to spend thanksgiving apart from my family and while it isn't easy it's not as bad as i anticipated. this is probably because no one celebrates thanksgiving here, its just another day to everyone. its also so helpful that i will still get to celebrate it with my HK family! just another way that God is taking care of me and providing for my every need.

things with the youth are great. we had an afternoon of paintball this past saturday, which was a blast. we all came away with great stories and a few bruises. we have an event called RESOUND coming up on friday. RESOUND is a night of worship for all the kids in HK. we had a great experience last time and i anticipate another awesome night on friday.

i can't express to you how thankful i am for your prayers and how encouraging it is to know that i have so many people supporting me. thank you.

emily

What a Mighty God I serve.

This week makes 10! God is moving in the youth and I am so excited about it. We went to see Nick Vujicic on Sunday. Nick was born with no arms or legs and now has a ministry called 'Life Without Limbs". God stirred the hearts of the youth and many made a first time decision to follow Christ. I can't describe the feeling I felt when I saw floods of people making their way to the front when the time of invitation came. That feeling was magnified when I saw some familiar faces of those in my youth group! I am thankful for God answering so many of my prayers that night and feel blessed that God is allowing me to see His hand at work.

I'm counting down the days till Dec. 21st! Not that I want to leave Hong Kong, I'm just really ready to see my family and for some COLD weather. It is still hot and humid here and it does not feel like November. I saw people swimming the other day and it blew my mind. Yes, its plenty hot to swim but just the fact that it's November makes it difficult to comprehend.

Next week I get to travel to Macao for a bit of sightseeing. I'm really looking forward to getting out and seeing some unique things not to mention staying in an awesome hotel!

I am thankful to God that things here are going smoothly and He has raised my spirits. I am always grateful for your prayers, please know that those prayers are helping me get from one day to the next. I would appreciate if you would lift up the youth and ask God to continue the movement He has begun. I am so thankful for those of you that take the time to read my blog and hope that you are encouraged by my God. He is a God of miracles and compassion, love and discipline, kindness and strength. On my knees I call to Him and He hears me, He picks me up and embraces me, filling me with strength and confidence in His name.

Praise be to His Name,

Emily

Let the waters rise... God, I trust you.

Yesterday made it 9 weeks that I have been in Hong Kong. Sometimes it feels like 9 days and sometimes 9 years. So many things have changed since I arrived and everything is so much different than I anticipated but God is good. The one thing that gives me comfort is that God never changes. His love is always a comfort and He will always be a strong fortress for me to find refuge. My prayer has been from the beginning that God would change me, mold me, make me into the person that He desires me to be. I now see that the trials and struggles in life are the things that get the job done. God slowly opens my eyes to the things that need to change by showing me first hand. I learned about a year ago that it is easy to be happy when things are going well, its when things are difficult that you see where your hope lies. My hope is all to often in things of this world and not in the Creator. I have not been here all that long but I can already see God answering my prayer for transformation and He is using His word, my family, and a friend to do so.

On a lighter note.. I get to go home for Christmas! I am so pumped. This is such a blessing from the Lord.

Things on the work front are moving right along. We will have our scavenger hunt dinner and movie this Saturday and then go hear Nick Vujicic speak on Sunday. The youth are as crazy and amazing as ever.

Last Sunday I got to catch up with Pepper and Shane! They came on vacation to HK for a few days and came to church with me. We got to hang out a bit, catch up and see some sights. I loved their visit and it was great to see a familiar face!

I thank you for your prayers and ask that you keep lifting me up to the Lord as well as the youth.

- Emily

' These Are The Words I Would Say' - Sidewalk Prophets

' Let The Waters Rise'- Mikeschair