Flight Itinerary

Hey all! Here is my flight itinerary so you can be specifically praying at these times. Thank you so much!!! The times listed are central standard time

Tue, Jan 27, 2009

Chicago O'Hare International Airport
Depart: 09:59am
Arrive: 2:45pm
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco, CA
Depart: 03:50pm
Arrive: 03:55am
Beijing, China

Beijing, China
Depart: 06:00am
Arrive: 8:35pm
Fuzhou, China

I Feel So Blessed

This past weekend has been amazing. I feel so blessed with the friends and family that God has surrounded me with.

My brother and his wife and kids came on Friday night. Saturday we spent the morning at the Children's Discovery Museum with my brother and sisters and all the kids. It was so fun! Saturday night we celebrated my brother's birthday. Followed by a family prayer time. I was so thankful for this sweet time to come before the Father's throne with my family.

Today, we all went to church together. This was such a blessing to be able to worship with my whole family and some of my closests friends, my last Sunday here in the States. At the end of the service my family and church family commissioned me to this work the Lord has called me to do. I feel so very grateful for the church God has placed me in. They are so supportive of the work He has called me to do and so excited to see what He will do.

This afternoon my family had leftovers for lunch and just relaxed all together.

I think we will all remember this weekend for a long time. It was such a gift to spend these last days with those that I love the most.

2 more days...

It feels weird that...

- In 4 days I will be saying goodbye to everything I know and love
- In 4 days I will be on a plane all by myself flying to China!
- There is a whole other life waiting for me on the other side of the world
- Every time I eat something, go somewhere, or see someone I wonder if it will be the last time
- My life is about to drastically change and while I can try to imagine what life is going to be like over there I really have no idea.
- Life here in the States will go on without me
- My life will go on without those I know and love to experience it with me
- This is what I have been dreaming of for years on end and I am just days away from living it!
- From the begining of time God knew that on January 27th, 2009 He would comission me to this work He has called me to
- That everything feels weird

That was a close one!

God answered our prayers quickly :) A friend suggested that I call the airlines this morning and see if I can check my luggage straight through to the final destination. When I call the lady said "oh, no problem!" For some reason I had the thought in my head that since my airline to China was different than my domestic flight I would have to re-check in .
God is so good isnt he? I LOVE how He always provides for our every need.

Start praying now!!!

Tonight I was looking at my flight schedule to make sure everything looked good. I noticed I have a small problem! When I arrive in San Fransisco I will need to get my luggage and re-check in because I will be flying a different airline to China. I don't think I realized that I was going to have to do this when I purchased the ticket because I only have a 1hour and 5minute layover!!! This is not good. Sometimes it can take 30 minutes just to get your luggage and by that time I would need to be boarding my next flight already. Would you please join me in bringing this subject before the throne of our Father.

This is NOT a surprise to Him! He knew this was the case when I purchased my ticket and in His perfect plan He already has it all worked out. Please pray that

- My flight out of O'Hare would be ON TIME. This is not common at this airport

- I would be able to locate my luggage quickly when I get to San Fran.

- The check-in line would be short

- The walking distance from gate to gate would also be short.

I wasVERY worried and concerned when I discovered this tonight. This is the last place the Lord wants me to be. He wants me trusting Him with this matter. Thank you for joining me in bringing this before Him.

Love, Alyssa

It's the small things...

A few weeks ago my friend asked me "what are you going to miss the most about America?" As I thought about it the first thing that came to my mind was the conveniences of the USA. I was thinking about all of the things that are easily done here that I take for granted. Somethings can take twice or even three times as long in other countries. And while this is true, I will miss the "easiness" of America, the more I thought about this question the more I realized that what I will miss the most is the small everyday moments of being with those I love.

- Over Christmas break I was rocking my nephew Mason to sleep and it dawned on me that there was a good chance that would be my last time to ever rock him sleep. I will miss watching these babies grow up!

- I will miss Clare, Chloe and I's "girl band" that we have every day on the way home from school

- I will miss walking in the door after a long of day of work and my dog Essy being right there at my feet so excited to see me.

- I will miss being able to just hop in the car for a weekend visit with my friends

- I will miss my sweet little preschoolers who, I'm pretty sure, teach me more about life than I teach them

- I will miss laughing with my brother and sisters about our inside jokes.

- I will miss my parents and the love and comfort I feel from being in their presence

There are so many everyday moments that I have taken for granted all of my life. In the past weeks as I have been preparing for China God has opened my eyes to the fact that I won't get to experience all of these things on a daily basis, like I do now. While this thought makes me so sad God has also opened my eyes to the fact that there is a whole new kind of everyday moments that are about to begin. Moments with the kids I am going to serve, moments with the brothers and sisters in Christ that I will be serving with, moments with Him. There is so much that is going to take place in these next 24 months. And while I am sad to leave these times behind I am excited to embark on this next adventure...

16 Days

It's hard to believe that in 16 days I will be on a plane headed to China. I will REALLY by on my way! Sometimes I sit back and think about what is about to take place and I can't believe it! I can't believe all of the amazing things that God has done in my favor. All of the ways that He has been evident and real in my everday life. I am so in love with Him right now. I feel so close to Him. I feel like it's just me and Him and He is inviting me to embark on one of the greatest journeys every.

I'm excited for sure but i won't lie I'm a little scared too. I think I'm scared of the unknown scared of the things that "could" happen and scared of the things that will happen. Scared of failing, scared of disappointing Him, scared of being too weak. I know these thoughts are from the devil. He prowls about like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour and this is the perfect opportunity for him to prey on me. I will NOT allow that though.

Even in my fear and uncertainty I CHOOSE to trust in God. I CHOOSE to look to Him for my strength. He is my shield and defender I will rest in the shadow of the almighty! God really spoke to me through the passage we studied at church today

Isaiah 41

9 I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
11 "All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish.
12 Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all.
13 For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

God has called me, He will strengthen me and in His power I have the strength to FEAR NOT. In His power I have the strength to walk forward in confidence knowing that I am His and He's got this, He's got the Whole world in His hands, from Hudson, IL to Fuzhou, China HE HAS THIS!

Visa

My Visa has arrived!!! I recieved it in the mail today and feel so grateful to have my passport back in my hands! Awesome praise... They issued me a visa that requires me to leave the country every 90 days instead of every 60 days. This is HUGE as it will save a lot of money and hassle. God is good and continues to pave every step of this adventure.

Until next time...

Alyssa

A Visit to the Chinese Consulate

Today was interesting. I woke up excited and enthusiastic! I was headed to Chicago to file for my Chinese Visa. My mom, Milly, and Alyssa (my friend) all came with me. Since the Consulate is open from 9-12 and 1-2:30 we left around 8:30 this morning anticipating a smooth, easy going day hoping to arrive around 11:)

When approaching the city, still on the highway, we were dumped off the highway due to a unmarked T in the road. We found ourself smack dab in the middle of the city, although we still had a few more miles to go on the highway. We tried to manuver our way through the crowded streets, full of people. After an hour of trying to find our way we spotted a rainforest cafe and decided to take a break and get some lunch.

If you have never been to Rainforest Cafe it is an adveture. SO much fun!!! We enjoyed a good lunch with safari food and even a few rainforest thunderstorms. After we finished lunch we rushed back to the parking garage so that we could get to our car before the price went up $10.00. We made it! Phew!!!

We finally located what we thought was the consulate. My Mom dropped Alyssa, Milly, and me off at the building (she was going to drive around and then come back to get us so we didnt have to park the car again). When I walked up to the door I found that it was locked. I was thinking "oh my gosh you have gotta be kidding me after all this hassle they are closed!!!" I then noticed that there was a call button to the left of the door. I pushed this button and found an english speaking chinese woman with a VERY thick accent. After living in China for 4 months I feel like I got pretty good at understanding this accent but I was having NO luck with this lady. With the help of Milly we finally figured out that we needed to turn around and walk 3 blocksW and it would be on our right hand side. So 3 blocksW we began. And what do you know there it was!

We walked inside and asked in the lobby if that was where the Chinese Consulate Visa office was. He told us to go to the 5th floor. We got on the elevator and rode our way up. When we entered the office I took a number and waited patiently for my turn. Meanwhile I decided to make a copy of my Visa application and of my passport since I was about to hand it over to some stranger that I didn't know. Well, me a stupid American couldn't get the copy machine to work. So a chinese kid helped me figure it out!

Next thing I knew my number was being called. I walked up to the counter extatic at how quickly I had been called. I handed her my application, my photo and my passport. She looked it over and said:

Consulate Lady: come back on tuesday. pick up

Me: oh. I need you to mail it to me.

Consulate Lady: pick up on Tuesday.

Me: I really needed it mailed.

Consulate Lady: you need money order

Me: okay where do I get that

Consulate Lady: Post office!

Me: Where is the post office? (she just kept pointing out the window and saying post office.)

Me: I stood there waiting, expecting to get a recepeipt

Consulate Lady: POST OFFICE!!!

So.... we left the left the building, asked for directions and headed to the post office. Did I

mention that it is almost 2:00 at this point and they close at 2:30! Yea i was starting to freak out a little! When we entered the post office there was a line of probably 10-15 people. I finally got to the front of the line and the first lady I went to told me she couldn't do money orders. So i had to go back to the line and wait for the next clerk. When I got to her I purchased a money order and a prepaid envelope. I paid and we took off running the 3 blocks back to the Consulate. We got in the elevator... got off at the wrong floor! Got back in the elevator... arrived at the right floor. I went up to the counter to give her my money order and envelope. She looked it over and said

Consulate Lady: You need "To" and "From"

Me: I did fill in the "To" the (address spot)

Consulate Lady: NO "To" and "From"

Me: Okay what is your address?

Consulate Lady: No! you "To" and "From"

Me: You want me to use my name and address in both places?

Consulate Lady: Yes!

I finished filling out the envelope, she gave me my receipt and told me they would mail the visa on Tuesday. I got my things and was outta there! By the way they were closing the doors right as we were walking out!

Whewwww that was a close one! What an ordeal. Our day was anything but smooth and easy going. That is for sure! I had good company though and we managed to have a good time amidst all the stress :)

Here I Go...

I sit in awe as I type this update. God has moved mountains right in front of my eyes. He is an amazing, awesome God and I feel so BLESSED to serve Him!
Several weeks ago (around Thanksgiving) God began to prompt my heart to purchase my plane ticket. At that point I was only at 30%. I wouldn't be honest if I didn't say I thought HE was crazy!!! I didn't think there was any way I was ready. There was still so much money that needed to come in. I quickly ignored this promting and moved on. Well, He was persistant. He continued to tug at my heart asking me to take this leap of faith. We had many conversations. I was so worried that it was ME talking. ME getting ahead of HIM. ME wanting this and holding on to it so badly that I was starting to mistake HIS voice for MINE. As I began to pray "not my will but yours" I realized that it really was HIS voice. He really was asking me to take this leap of faith. He told me over and over again "You don't recieve because you don't ask" He was wanting to move mountains in my life if I would only let Him.
As of Tuesday of last week I was at 40% of my monthly need and still feeling God's leading, now more than ever, to take this leap of faith. After seeking the council of one very wise man, my dad, I took another look at my budget. In doing this I realized that there was almost $500 per month worked into my budget, for taxes, that I didnt need in there. I also saw that there were a few other changes I could make. After doing this I realized that I was at 70%. I was extatic! I sought the council of a few other people, who's opinion I hold very high. They too agreed that if God was asking me to take this leap faith that I should follow Him in obdedience.
In the past 3 days I have recieved 4 substabtial gifts that have brought me even closer to my goal of 100%.
Today I bought my ticket! I will be leaving for China on January 27th, 2009. I have been praying for January ever since August of this year. Many people warned me that I wouldn't be ready that soon. I too thought it was soon but knew God was asking me to pray this way. I know those prayers were not in vein. I know God had me praying for January specifically so that on this day He would get ALL the GLORY!!!
As I sit back and look at the Journey of the past 5 months I am in awe! 5 months ago today I was just starting to feel the Lord's voice saying "It's Time! It's Time" I was just starting to consider preparing to return. Never did I guess that 5 months later I would have a ticket in hand. To GOD be the GLORY.
I thank each and everyone of you! It wouldn't be in this place if it wasnt for your support both financially and prayerfully.
Let's continue to seek Him and praise Him as He lays out His perfect plan piece by piece.

Much Love, Alyssa