Sunday Thoughts: April 26th, 2009

“Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road...”

Their hearts were burning after a conversation with the Son! What makes our hearts burn? When do we feel alive? Our hearts only truly burn when we are face-to-face with the reality of the abundant life that the Father offers.

Our hearts know it before our minds do! Our hearts burn until our eyes are opened to the truth! Our hearts burn until our minds understand what our souls already know; he is alive!

We are grateful this week:

1. Yesterday was the North Face China Endurance Challenge. I completed that 40K in 3:37:09, and I am extremely happy with that time considering we dealt with 30mph winds all day, a 400 meter incline in 3.5km, and a 400 meter decline in 2.5km. I also stepped on a stick that punctured my shoe at about the eight kilometer mark. It went through the sole of my right shoe, between my toes, and poked against the inside of the top of my shoe. I thought my foot would be bleeding for the rest of the race, but amazingly the stick went perfectly between my toes and did not even leave a scratch.

Many of our fellow IECS teachers came with us to run the 10K. Peter & Shannon Lucas-Roberts, Jessica Shamblee, Amelia Martin, Courtney & Wil Corder, and Ryan Bettwy all ran in the 10K with about 2,600 other runners. Peter ran the whole way with a student from our college, Chai Wan Li, and they finish together, 4th and 5th overall!

Jessie spent the day with one of her students, Cassie, and they stayed at the finish line cheering for all the finishers, taking pictures, and aiding the IECS runners.

2. On Tuesday night we hosted a game night, and Jessie and I invited three students. We played Settlers for about three hours, while Shamblee, Peter, and Shannon played Suckotash and Uno with other students in Shamblee's apartment.

3. Next weekend is the Labor Day holiday in China, so Friday's classes have been canceled.

Please think about us:

1. On Monday night we will have our final English club of the semester on the main campus.

2. This will be the last week of regular classes for Jessie and me. After this week we will begin the final exam interview process for each of our students.

3. During the third week in May we will have our annual English week! About 13 teachers will come from the States, led by Newt and Claire Hetrick. We are very excited about English week! All of the training is completed at this point, and we are eagerly awaiting their visit. Please continue to “think” about it as the final details get sorted out in the upcoming weeks.

4. Jessie and I will be heading to Beijing again on Tuesday for another baby check-up. Only 9 more weeks remain until we get to meet our little girl!

Living outside the boat,
Brad

Sunday Thoughts: April 19th, 2009

“But Naaman went away angry and said, "I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the Father, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?" So he turned and went off in a rage.

Naaman's servants went to him and said, "My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, 'Wash and be cleansed'!" So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the prophet told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy.”

How often do we complicate the grace of our Father with our own expectations? So often we want to be healed from all the pains in our lives, but we want it on our own terms, conditions, and cost. The beauty of our Father is the simplicity of his grace. All of the terms and conditions of grace have already been fulfilled. The cost is paid! All that is left for us is total surrender to the simplicity of his grace.

We are grateful this week:

1. This has been an exciting week for us. We have two new family members, one in Baoding, and the other in Langfang!

2. On Tuesday we went to Beijing for another baby check-up. It was the quickest appointment yet! We were in and out in an hour. The baby is healthy, Jess is healthy, and we can't wait for the end of June!

3. We spent the early part of the week calling our family to tell them that we have decided on a name for our child: Naomi Faith Distad.

4. On Saturday night we ate asparagus for the first time in the least two years. It is amazing what you will be grateful for when you have lived in China for the better part of two years!

5. We had our final English Club on the Western Campus last Friday. It was amazing; even though many students had an exam on Saturday morning, the room was packed. I will try to post a video as soon as possible, but youtube.com has not been accessible in China for the past few weeks.

Please think about us:

1. Next Friday night we will travel to Beijing to spend the night in a hotel before running the North Face 40K on Saturday morning. A few students will come with us, and many of the other IECS teachers will also be coming to run the 10K. It should be a fun couple days as we travel and run together.

2. Jess' father had back surgery this week and although it took longer than the doctors predicted, it went well. He is home now and trying to enjoy the time away from work.

3. During the third week in May we will have our annual English week! About 13 teachers will come from the States, led by Newt and Claire Hetrick. We are very excited about English week! Please continue to “think” about it as the final details get sorted out in the upcoming weeks.

4. Naomi's next baby check-up is Tuesday April 28th.

Living outside the boat,
Brad

April 15, 2009: Naomi Faith Distad

Our dearest daughter,

Before Brad and I were pregnant with you, I spent most of the summer studying the story of Ruth and Naomi. I love the romance of Ruth and Boaz, the loyalty and reputation of Ruth, and the good character of Boaz. I also love the story of Naomi, a broken woman who finds redemption. It is in honor of this dear woman, that we have decided to name you, "Naomi Faith Distad."

Naomi: Naomi was a woman whose life was bitter after losing her husband and two sons in a foreign land. She went away full, and came back empty. She felt the Father had afflicted her and brought misfortune on her. But the Father gave her a loyal and determined daughter-in-law named Ruth who was "better than seven sons." The Father redeemed Naomi's life through Ruth and Boaz, who gave her another son, the grandfather of King David. The women said to Naomi, "Praise be to the Father who has not left you without a kinsman-redeemer...He will renew you and sustain you in your old age" (Rth 4:14-15). Naomi also means: pleasant, enjoyment, gratification, beautiful, delightful, lovable, my delight. Naomi, you are already a delight. Every day your presence increases the beauty, love, and joy of our lives.

Faith: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Heb. 11:1). “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not of yourselves, it is the Father's gift—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are His workmanship...” (Eph. 2:8-10). We are saved through by grace, through faith, and not by anything we ourselves have done to earn it. Faith is also one of the three great virtues from 1 Cor. 13: 1-13. It also means: trust, loyalty, allegiance, covenant, commitment, dedication, consecration, complete confidence, belief in the Father and acceptance of his will. You may not yet be aware of it, but faith has brought your father and I together, faith has directed our paths, and faith has brought you into our lives.

Your father and I have experienced brokenness, bitterness, and hard times in our lives, and we know that you will too. It is inevitable. But we also know that you will never be left without a Redeemer who will redeem, renew, and sustain your life. Like Naomi, you can be assured that he will never leave you or forget you. Faith (or trusting the Father) is probably the virtue I struggle with the most, so I want to grant it to you as a gift. Faith is foundational to our lives and our calling, and it is our most precious hope for you. Even as I feel you kicking in my womb, it is my most earnest hope that you will have faith in our Father and in his great love for you.

Love Always,
Mom

April 18, 2009: Surprise Baby Shower!

On Saturday morning, April 11, Brad and I awoke bright and early to grey skies over Langfang. The morning was busy as we finished last minute preparations for the 10 guests who would be arriving around 11am. We hoped the weather would clear up before the guys played basketball in the afternoon. I showered, washed dishes, and straightened up around the apartment. I heard a commotion in the hall around 10am, and looked out the peephole where I was amused to see Shannon and Jess Shamblee wearing colorful baseball caps and giggling about something. I poked my head out of the door, just as they simultaneously knocked on our door. They presented me with a bright pink invitation wrapped in a fat white ribbon—an invitation to a surprise Baby Shower at 2pm!

I was momentarily confused as I started to put together various interactions from the last few weeks and realized what they were saying. Shannon and Jess told me to just relax as the rest of our guests arrived, and asked me not to enter Jess' apartment as they prepared. With the change of plans, I spent the rest of the morning getting ready at a slower pace and listening as our friends arrived and entered Jess' apartment to help with the shower preparations. The guys left to play basketball together shortly before the shower began, and only the girls were left in the building.

At 2pm I knocked on Jess Shamblee's door, and was greeted by nine smiling girls: fellow IECS teachers Shannon, Jess, Courtney, Emily, and Amelia, Chinese students Sunshine, Cassie, and Danielle, and Tim's girlfriend Melissa. Jess put a bright pink headband on my head and a pink wand in my hand, both topped with little pig-tailed baby doll heads. I laughed as I looked around the room at pink and purple balloons and bright posters that read: “Welcome Baby Girl Distad!” “It's a girl!” and “Made in China!” A line of baby diapers filled the windowsill, delicious foods covered Jess' desk, and colorful gifts hid the coffee table from sight.

Shannon began our activities with introductions and an explanation (for our Chinese friends) of the foods on the desktop, including deviled eggs, brownies, peanut candies, fruit, and funfetti cake (for later). She also explained the clothespins on our shirts, which would be taken away if we dared say the taboo word, “Baby.” I was the first to lose all of my clothespins! After snacks and some initial photos, we played the “Baby Name Game.” Each girl suggested a baby name which I then drew from a hat and read aloud. The names suggested were Eleanor Rose (Elle), Natasha Joy, Britney, Eva, Lydia Faith, Surprised Gift, Elise Marie, Xin Yi (Happy Harmony), and Allison Love. Then Jess unveiled the name “Naomi Faith,” cleverly hidden on a poster under the words “Baby Girl.”

For the next game the girls had to guess the circumference of my “Baby Belly” using lengths of blue yarn. We laughed at the various strategies used, including Courtney's method of measuring her own head and waist and adding the two distances together. Cassie was the winner of this activity and the name game, taking home a “family” of hangers and a notebook. The last game was called “Dirty Diaper ID” and it had us all in stitches! Jess had melted 6 candy bars in 6 diapers, and it was our challenge to identify the chocolate by appearance and smell. The results were hilarious, as you can imagine! Amelia was the winner of this activity, correctly identifying a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, Almond Joy, Hershey's Milk Chocolate, Snickers, Hershey's Green Tea Chocolate, and a Mint 3 Musketeers.

After the games, I got to open the gifts from the girls who were there, and some from friends who couldn't make it to the party. The whole group gave us a “Ching-ting” (Dragonfly) Chinese baby bib, and Sunshine gave us 2 pink and white baby bibs. Jess Shamblee gave us a pink shirt with matching blanket, and Tony & Lily gave us 2 yellow and white shirts with a matching blanket. Wil & Courtney gave us baby shoes, a shirt, and overalls, and Emily & Amelia gave us Chinese baby shoes, a shirt, hand socks, and slit Chinese pants. Frank & Helen gave us a magnetic photo tree, and Shannon & Peter gave us a pink baseball and tiny “Crocs with Socks.” Each card was so thoughtfully written, and each gift so thoughtfully chosen! Naomi will certainly make a fashion statement in all of her tiny adorable outfits!

After the gifts were unwrapped, Shannon and Jess led all the girls in “thinking” about Brad and me and Naomi and our future together. After this time of encouragement, all of us had funfetti cake and took group photos. Then we relaxed for the rest of the afternoon, talking and laughing and taking more photos. We laughed as Shannon and Jess put clothespins in Sunshine's hair, and Melissa and Courtney practiced eating cake as if they were in a wedding. It was a great day and a great surprise! What a delightful way to celebrate new life and friendship! Thanks again girls!

Love,
Brad, Jessie, & Naomi

Sunday Thoughts: April 12th, 2009

“Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Father, for he comes.”

The weather was amazing all week, and spring is in full force! It is as if we switched from the cold darkness of winter to the warm daylight of spring over night. The trees are green, the cherry blossoms are blooming, and a warm breeze is flowing through our apartment. As we walk across our campus it is fun to think that the fields and trees are singing for joy as a new creation has risen from the ground. The darkness is gone, let the glorious light shine, as the new creation sings for the joy of an empty tomb!

We are grateful this week:

1. On Tuesday night we held a small concert for about 100 English students on the main campus. Peter emceed, Jess video-taped, and Shannon & I played 6 songs each. We also spent some time sharing the meaning behind the songs. It was a nice relaxed atmosphere, and we are hoping to do it again before the end of the year.

2. For the holiday weekend, all of the IECS teachers came to Langfang. Everybody arrived by Saturday before noon, and then at 2pm the girls held a very special surprise baby shower for Jess while the boys played basketball. We all celebrated together on Sunday morning after a big homemade breakfast, and then went out for a special lunch at Jade Harbor (the “Rain Forest Restaurant”). Around 2pm the Baoding and Tianjin teams caught their taxis to the train station to return to their respective colleges.

Please think about us:

1. This Friday we will have our final English club on the Western Campus. Jess Shamblee will be speaking, and our run-on play will come to a conclusion. About a week and a half later we will have our final English club on the main campus.

2. During the third week in May we will have our annual English week! About 15-20 teachers will come from the States, led by Newt and Claire Hetrick. We are very excited about English week! Please continue to “think” about it as the final details get sorted out in the upcoming weeks.

3. Our return plane tickets were finalized this week. We will return May 28th, one month before Jess' due date.

4. Jess' 3rd trimester has begun! We have our monthly visit to see the doctor this Tuesday and then we will return every two weeks for checkups.

Living outside the boat,
Brad

Sunday Thoughts: April 5th, 2009

“If he calls you, say, 'Speak, Father, for your servant is listening.'”

I have often wondered how someone could clearly discern the voice of the Father? As I read the story of Samuel this week I was reminded that the problem does not lie in the Father's ability to speak clearly, rather it lies in my ability to listen. Too often I am concerned with speaking, and I have found that it difficult to listen when I am busy talking.

How often do we invite him to speak so that we, his servants, can have the privilege of listening?

We are grateful this week:

1. It was 75F and sunny today! It has warmed up in the past couple days, and it suddenly feels like spring. Everything is starting to turn green, and best of all, we will not need to sleep with two pairs of socks on our feet anymore!

2. We celebrated the Tomb Sweeping holiday this past weekend. All that meant for us is that we did not have classes on Friday, and we avoided all forms of mass transportation for the holiday weekend. It was really relaxing to sleep in a little, and enjoy the weather. Our students should return tonight.

3. Since the weather was so nice, Peter and I made it out to play basketball with some of our students yesterday. The courts were full of high school students enjoying the holiday, but we managed to find a hoop and play four-on-four with a few of our English students.

4. Jess returns to her normal schedule this week. She has completed all of her make up classes, and now we are focused on finishing the semester strong.

Please think about us:

1. This Tuesday night Shannon and I will be hosting a small concert for the English students. We plan to share the time and perform some of our favorite songs along with some of our own songs.

2. Next weekend, all of the IECS teachers will be visiting us to celebrate Easter. I am excited to spend a couple days with our friends celebrating my favorite holiday. It is hard to believe it has been a month since we have seen the entire team of teachers. The weeks really seem to disappear! Please remember them as they travel to visit us next Friday and Saturday.

3. My parents are now in Iowa with my grandfather. They will be spending their time trying to find a realtor and an auctioneer for his house. As of now, the goal is to sell the house this summer and then my grandfather will move in with my parents sometime in August, just before his 91st birthday.

4. Jess' 3rd trimester has begun! Three months to go, and then a lifetime of ........? Either way, I am excited, and I cannot wait for July to come! If you would like to see a video of our most recent ultrasound, you can visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y12FeopIf0Q

Living outside the boat,
Brad