*Jesus Christ is Lord!

This is the first chance I've had to actually take some time and write a blog.  And of course it's midnight here in Taiwan, so my mind is a little foggy, but I will try to make some sense!

It's just been unbelievable since we got here.  I can't even emphasize enough the amazingness of God, and the fact that we get to communicate with Him through prayer!  I'll share more details later about what we've done so far every day, but right now, I just want to share about the spiritual oppression here.  There are over 15,000 temples on this island which in land size is 1/5 the size of Missouri!  There are more idols here than anywhere else in the world.  Everything everyone does here is controlled by superstitions, fear, and greed.  They "serve" their gods, bring them offerings, and burn incense to them so that their gods won't be angry and punish them, and also because they want something from their gods, such as money, prosperity, health, etc.

I worship God (the one true God!) because i love Him!  Why do I love Him?!  Because He loved me so much that He saved me while I was in the pit of sin!  As Christians, we shouldn't be controlled by superstitions, and we shouldn't do things out of fear of punishment.  Yes God is hugely awesome, and we should respectfully fear Him and stand in awe of Him, but we should serve Him and worship Him out of love!  He sent Jesus so that we wouldn't have to fear sin and death any longer!  The Holy Spirit living inside of us is greater than satan who is in the world!  How incredible is that?!  I think I will leave it there.  That is a good thought to go to sleep with in my head. 

I love you all! 

Last weekend in Joplin was so much fun! Except of course for the being sick part, but that wasn't really too bad either.  I got to spend time with Lettie, and a bit with Abi, and catch  a brief glimpse of Emilie.  It was just really good spending time with the Tyrrells (and Lettie!).  I feel so comfortable around them, and it is such a nice break from the school scene.  It was also amazing to get to see some of the other adoptive families and babies, and catch up with them too!  A special thanks goes out to Mark and Kim for putting up with me all weekend:)!  I miss you all already!  Also, thank you to Todd and Sherri for letting me ride down and back with you!  I'm truly sorry if I got any of your family sick! 
This weekend is going to be (hopefully) a getting stuff done weekend.  I'm planning to organize my room, get some studying done, and go to bed at a decent time.  So anyways, I guess I should get on that;)! 

xoxo,
MJ

I got to go out with some friends last night for my birthday!  We ate at Fuddruckers, mmmmm delicious!  I don't feel different at 23 than i did at 22.  Should I?  Anyways, after that we came back to school, and my Taiwan group had a meeting. 
We got the tickets!  For 859!  It's such a blessing, b/c at one point we thought we were gonna have to pay 1100 which would really have cut into our "leave behind" fund.  Praise God!  He is so so so so good!  I am really excited about the group that is going, so far there are no issues amongst us:)!  Of course personalities can tend to change when people are together in a stressful situation, so we'll see...  Not that I'm diluting myself into thinking there won't be any problems, I'm just excited that there aren't any yet! 
I've talked to a couple of my friends in Taiwan, and am so excited to get to see them!  Also to get to see my English class students.  They all made such an impact on my life, it will be an amazing blessing to get to reunite!
Another trip prayer request: Please pray with us for sunshine!  Taiwan, being an island, has a tendency to have lots of rain, and when it rains the whole time you're there, you miss out on alot. 

God bless!
*I would like to take a moment to say hi to my cousin Krista:)  My mom told me that you said you were going to read this, so I wanted to let you know that I MISS YOU!!!! and i love you:)  you should write me sometime!*