Spiritual Retreat

I hadn't ever heard of "Spiritual Retreats" until we were in Virginia back in the fall.  We had them there and now I consider them vital to my walk with the Lord.  

What is it?  How do you do it?  

I'm sure there could be many ways.  

We recently learned a great, easy concept to follow when approaching them.

1. Get Alone

2. Get Quiet

3. Look Inward (Psalm 139:23-24 - search me, convict me of my sin and show me the way)

4. Look Backward (Lord, have I been faithful/obedient with the things you've given me?)

5. Look Forward (Lord, what do you want me to do this month? - people, places...)

How long should they be?
Well, one theory is that the shortest a spiritual retreat could be effective is three hours, and we tend to agree. That doesn't include the getting to and getting from wherever you go.  Three solid hours with the Lord. However, it could also be overnight, a whole day or a whole week.  

What does it look like?  

Likely, different for each person.. 

My last one (yesterday) started with the search for where I could "get alone." 

Beautiful park, overcast day, cool breeze, bamboo trees, older folks dancing to traditional music, smiles from people, a river but no place to sit...
Finally, a chair facing the bamboo that separates the park from the road - perfect!
Yes, there are cars driving, horns honking, birds singing, bees buzzing, traditional music playing from their pockets as their walking.

Alone?  Not completely but as close as I can get today in a city of 12 million.

Silence?  No, His creation is all around me.

Quiet?  Not completely, yet.  Definitely a skill that must be built and exercised (like building a muscle - weak at first, but the more we work on it the stronger it gets).

I really must practice Being Still (not just physical but quieting the noise in my mind).

Traditional music every time the little man walks around - distraction, but the Holy Spirit fills me with joy reminding me of the love He has given me for these people..

Then I remember...Ughhh... the to do lists in my mind...

The voice saying to me, "Be still... Be still and know that I am God." 

Being Quiet, getting my mind to be still is hard.  Although, one benefit of being hearing impaired is the ability to take off my hearing aids which really drowns out most of the exterior noise... it is the interior noise I struggle with.  

This part of the retreat is always what takes me the longest.  

It isn't a step to be skipped or partially completed.  

I opened my Bible and looked down (ok so, my goal wasn't to start here and I don't recommend the open and point technique for seeing what He wants to tell you).  However, this morning He did show me something this way.

I opened His word and a section that had been highlighted previously jumped off the page. 

Philippians 4:1-9 (my comments in parenthesis)

6. Do not be anxious about anything (even those to do lists, the concerns and frustrations of what you can and can't do...), but in everything with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

My prayer that followed..

"Search me of God and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts.  

See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24

Quietness...

Looking Inward.

Ouch!  

Painful to admit my sinfulness. 

Knowing how distracted I am, how unwisely I often use my time, how unloving I can sometimes respond to my husband, kids or others, how quickly I speak and can become angry, how slowly I listen, and so much more...

This process of looking inward isn't to make you feel good, rather to bring you closer to Him.

Refinement is usually painful. 

Coming face to face with our sinfulness, well, it doesn't feel good.

However, it is necessary if we want to grow, to be transformed, for Him to see more of his reflection in us. 

Just as I was seeking forgiveness for my sinfulness and asking for His help, the enemy used the sinfulness of man to distract me.  Without going into details, lets just say it was a shocking overexposure that I hope to never see again.  

I quickly gathered my things and walked away, called Brian to come get me so that I could go to a place closer to where he was.  As I walked toward where Brian was meeting me I continually prayed that the Father would still my heart, my mind.  Help me to not be angry or fearful.  It had just taken me an hour and a half to be quiet....  The last thing the enemy wants is for us to get closer to the Father, to desire to be more like our Lord.  He will use whatever he can to distract us.   

The walk and scooter ride did me well.  The park Brian was at, even more beautiful.  We found an outdoor tea house by the river and there was no one there but the workers.  I found a chair overlooking the gently flowing river and ordered a lemon tea while Brian found a spot on down the river a little ways.  Brian and my sweet friend took some time to pray for my mind to be still again after the distraction and the Lord answered.  

He was able to calm my heart.  Help me to refocus and again brought me back to Phil. 4. 6-9

6. Do not be anxious about anything (even those disgusting distractions the evil one can place in your path.), but in everything with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

Looking Backwards...

Have I been faithful with the things He has given me?

Thankfully some I can say yes to, but so many others... no.  

Listing them out, praying over each one, each person, each opportunity, each task.

Looking Forward...

He guided me to take each of the "looking inward" issues, which often led to some of the failures in my "looking backwards" issues, which helped to make goals to move forward.  

Will I reach all those goals this month?  

Certainly not by trying to on my own.  

John 15:5 - I am the vine and you are the branches,  if  you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit, but apart from me you can do nothing.  

Yes, nothing... strong, eh?
Yet,  with God all things are possible.  

Of course, His timing and His will is perfect.  

We were told, "It is ok if all the goals aren't reached during a month." (Hard for me as a task oriented person).

Many of my goals aren't even possible for me to accomplish - only through His power, His opening the hearts and minds of others and my willingness to be lovingly bold, to exude the fruits of the spirit, to be still, to let the Holy Spirit move in me, through me and in and through others.  

After this retreat.  After each retreat.  I feel full.  I feel refreshed.  Even in the midst of the darkness seen during this retreat, He still filled me and used those moments to teach me to see the soul not the person.  To see the desperate need men have to know Him as their Lord and Savior, to live for His pleasure, His glory, not our own.  

I'm ready for the next month, fresh, filled and fully relying on His strength to move mountains and attain goals.  

At the end of this day..the overcast sky and breeze were replaced with beautiful blue skies and a the bright, warm sun.  A friend captured this picture from our balcony that afternoon. Shocking to see how vastly different this view looks than the first few months we were here.  The sky really was that blue instead of the dense gray we have most days.

What a perfect reminder of how the old is gone, the new has come.  How He calms the storm. How He is the light.  He is the creator. He is the Great I am.  Wanna sing with me?

"Hallelujah, Holy, Holy,
God Almighty, The Great I Am,
Who is Worthy, None Beside Thee,
God Almighty, The Great I Am"

I urge you to try a spiritual retreat if you haven't.  No excuses.  Have your hubby watch the kids while you go for at least four hours (gives you time to get to where your going and come back).  Then give your hubby the same opportunity. Have a family member or friend watch them so you can both go at the same time.  Schedule it, make it happen.  

Be still.  

Ask Him

"Search me, O God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts.  

See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23-24

Get alone.  Get quiet. Look Inward. Look Backward.  Look Forward.

Field days, wax museums and field trips. :)

We believe each person's journey in this life is an adventure. 

Our adventure, well, it is full of ups and downs (as most adventures are). 

I am so very thankful for some wonderful 'ups' the past couple weeks with our kiddos. 

Thanks for walking alongside us and "enjoying" our kids with us. 

Warning - this post is long!   

Family Fun Day

A couple Saturdays ago was "Family Fun Day" at the big kids' school.  

It was like a family field day.  

There were games set up for families to play together,

 there was yummy food too.

 Mei was excited to "meet" the Panda. :)

 Ian enjoyed the games but buying some little Pokemon figures at the yard sale was a highlight for him.

We definitely had a fun day together.  

Hot day, but a fun day. :)

Ian's Field Trip

Last week I took a day off to help chaperone a field trip with Ian's class.  

Watching he and some of his friends walk into the school warms my Mama heart.

This trip was to the "biggest building in the world."
We got there early and while it is totally OK to be late in this culture - you CAN'T be early. :)
Can you see why that works well for my personality.  lol
I was born late and it hasn't ever really changed...

But, with a shocking lack of traffic this morn, we were early to the building.
His very creative teacher kept them occupied with a game of "Simon Says."  :)

The small part of the inside of this immense building was impressive.
The trip was a perfect for this age group.
A very fun playground then a trip to a Lego Education Center where the kids got to do story telling with their legos.
Yes, I did say, "Lego Education Center."
High dollar but it does exist.
Amazing thing about field trips here.
We don't pay!
The kids, nor the chaperones, had to pay as it really is covered in their tuition.

Elementary Spring Program

Friday night was the Elementary Spring Program.  

It was fantastic!  

1st-2nd graders sang, did sign language and skits.

The skits were incredible!    

The music teacher stated she wanted the kids to use what they've been learning in class about being brave, standing strong in their faith and sharing it with others even when not convenient or easy, even if things are scary, because we know that God will give us strength through His Spirit.  You can see some of the children in pictures and video below are dressed in white/silver,... they represent the Holy Spirit.  

It was incredible and such a surprise for us!

Ian hadn't told us what he was doing and we were surprised to see he played King Darius.  

That made this drama loving mama happy. :)  

The best part - the message it clearly spoke to the families in the school who aren't yet part of our bigger family.  

Aili joined the 3rd-5th graders as they played their recorders and sang "The Lion Sleeps Tonight."  I really enjoyed all their songs, but my fave for their group was definitely when they sang "Father I adore you" in four languages (Japanese, Chinese, Korean and English) in a round all at the same time-  a small glimpse of Heaven.  

Absolutely Fantastic night!

Thoroughly impressed with how much thought and work went into this program. 

Of course, we are so proud of our kids. :)

Biography Wax Museum

This week: more fantabulous days of joining in on school activities with our big kids. 

Yesterday, Aili's class had a virtual wax museum.  They have been reading biographies and chose one for this project.  We "met" some of our favorite characters - George Mueller, Hudson Taylor, Gladys Aylward and of course just loved our little Corrie ten Boom. ;)  It was a very diverse group which included Hitler, Wright Brothers, JFK, Stalin, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt,  a couple of Thomas Edisons, Sojourner Truth and many more...The kids had a little paper "button" you could push and they would give about a 30 second summary of who they were and for what they were known.  They also put together a newspaper article.  They all did such a great job!

It is inconceivable that the people portrayed below would ever be in the same room together, right?  Especially not smiling! lol

Gala Day

Divide and conquer?  We do this very often in our family and today was one of those as I helped at the school and B went on a field trip. :)

I went to the school to help with "Gala Day."  This event was nearly cancelled due to the rain but thankfully He heard our requests and held off the rain for a little while. :) "Gala Day" is like field day, with many fun games.  We had a blast but did have to take it inside when the drizzle became heavier.

And um...Pretty certain I had the cutest little team. :)  Don't you agree?

4th-5th Grade Field Trip

Today was also the 4th-5th grade field trip.  They were supposed to go to what we've heard is a beautiful mountain here.   However, steep steps up a mountain on a rainy day with a bunch of kids wasn't exactly what they'd planned.  So, they changed plans on the bus ride there and stopped at an "ancient" village.  It rained, but that didn't keep the kids from enjoying it. And seriously, couldn't get a better backdrop for a field trip right?

Racing time - The kids had built rafts which they raced in the little stream here.

Aili says this guy's shoulder plates made good protection from the rain. ;)
haha... Again, not many places back home for pics like this are there?
I'm thinking y'all should plan some field trips here - rain or shine, cool stuff to see and do (and, um...we are certainly missing our family and friends...). :)

It has been such a blessing to be part of these experiences with our kids.  Fabulous to meet and talk with some of their classmates, friends' parents and teachers.  Also thankful for the ability to take off days of language study - vacation days well spent. ;)  

Truly, children are a gift from the Lord.  Realizing more each day that we need to cherish these moments. They grow so quickly.  Our life is but a vapor and our time to shepherd our kids, well, it is even shorter.  We invite you to join us as we put down the computer, close the books, turn off the TV and enjoy each other (wherever in the world you and your family are). :)

Labor Day

B's new tutor asked if we'd like to spend the holiday with he and his family in the country.  

OF COURSE!! 

We were super excited for the invite, spending time together and always enjoy getting out of the city. 

It was a fantastic day.  His very sweet and patient wife doesn't speak much English but with the help of Pleco (a great tool for translating individual words), we were able to have good conversation for eight hours. :)  That is the longest we've been with new friends here.  It was truly a great day.

Our kids had a blast in this bamboo forest.  

 teeter-totter or see-saw - which do you call this?

 We really need to get a hammock. Funny.. I just had to look up the word for it in this language to find the English word - well, that is a first! lol

 After eating we walked to a spot that we could take a rest or play.
Truly a little forest.
Of course the kids didn't want to walk on the paved part, after all, we are in a forest.

 The lovely trees, the lake, the couple with their umbrella, the hammock - capturing it all in this picture.

 One thing we saw today is that as hard as these people work (Many work very very hard way too often).  On a day off, they really take the day off.  Away from screens, off the couch.  Families get together and enjoy each other without their phones in their face or laptops next to them.  Playing, laughing, eating.

 Great to see our kids enjoying the simpler, slower life.  They never once asked what was next or when we were going back... They just enjoyed.  Here they were picking peas out of peapods.  It is the simpler things. I just sat and watched them for a little while. Enjoyed the slowness.

 Enjoyed seeing their bare feet against a fabulous blue sky.

 Aili said, "Mom they have real grass here, Like American grass and trees, real trees."
Yes, in the country it looks and feels really different.
Love how she can help me notice the small things I may not think of in the moment.

 B and our friend got to play some ball. I think after this the moms rested.. not sure what the kids did.

 The breeze coming off the water as we sat in the shade of the tree made the temperature so comfortable.

 That blue sky... it was amazing.
So is this cutie. ;)

 I am not a fan of prawns.
Prawn crackers sound even worse.
BUT do you remember Funyuns?
Pretty sure this is Funyuns under a different name.
Yum!!

 Yes, I am a little attached to the blue sky. ;)
And a little amazed at how the peapods mesmerized my kids.

 My little man was playing with the camera and captured this.
It so perfectly captured what we see in many families here - valuing family time, dads actively engaged playing with their kids, teaching them, laughing with them and enjoying life together.

 Was sad for this fantastic day to end, but we were all tired and ready to rest.  Pretty sure the kids were asleep within the first couple minutes of the ride home.

 First though, we had our little adventure walk out through the forest.

Thankful for the best labor day I think I've ever had. :)
Looking forward to more time together.