All that was left….

...... was a black cardboard box full of cardstock……….that said ‘Cross’.

We just returned from a few days in Hong Kong.  As Steve prepared to get his computer out of his backpack he pulled out a black box.  Puzzled, he asked me what it was.  I said I had no idea but it must’ve been something we accidentally picked up from the place we were staying (a Christian retreat center).  Upon further examination it did indeed have the word ‘Cross’ all over the cardstock and I was sure it was something that had been mistakenly inserted into his backpack.

So, he continued to get his computer out.  Unfortunately, there was NO COMPUTER to retrieve!  It had already been retrieved!  We could not even fathom that was what had happened until Sara, our friend, informed us that recently another guy we knew had a similar experience.  The thieves had taken his computer out and slipped a heavy object into its place, in order to not draw attention to the bag being lighter.  WHAAAAAAAAAAT?????????  This is a new one on us!   

We spent the next little while trying to retrace our steps.  Sure enough, there was a guy on the bus who ‘offered’ to put Steve’s bag up in the bin above our seats.   With the three of us sitting right there we never even entertained the idea the guy would get into the bag!   Obviously, he was pretty slick!  He had also offered to put Brittany’s up.  Thankfully, I encouraged her to keep hers in the seat beside her.  Otherwise, we are pretty sure we would be missing TWO computers right now!

Although we know our city has a bit of a problem with pickpockets and thieves, we just never think of it happening to us!  Since my bag was stolen, from right beside me, a few months ago, we have been extra careful.  I guess today……we just weren’t careful enough!

And, so, we determine……we WILL count it all joy when we fall into various trials!  And, be thankful that:

·         Britt’s computer did not get stolen

·         they did not harm us

·         a computer can be replaced

·         those thieves did not get the ‘plug-in’ cord.  Steve’s computer won’t even start up without that!  :0  (of course, in their line of work I’m sure that’s a minor problem) 

In the end we have decided to heed Sara's advice when she asked the question .........'Denise, we are suppose to love those who do us wrong, right?'   ;-)

We want you to meet SHERRY!

We want to take a moment to introduce you to someone VERY special! Sherry has been the translator in our worship services for over 3 years! She loves the Lord and is such a blessing to Dee and me and to our work here! Now the exciting NEWS! She will be in our home town , Dickson, TN for a whole week beginning this Saturday Oct. 8th!!! If you live in the area, we hope you have an opportunity meet her!

Thought Loop.....

At McDonald's in China you can.....

• substitute Orange Juice for Cola

• substitute Ice Coffee with Ice Cream for Cola

but you can NOT substitute....

•  SPRITE FOR COLA!!!  

go figure  :)

Sign in McDonald's restroom:

PLEASE DO NOT STAND

ON THE TOILET FIXTURE

The THOUGHT LOOP........

then, Leslie looked at me IN SHOCK and said 'you mean they don't have Chinese toilets (squatty potty) in America?'!!! 

I guess that's a logical question if you consider they DO have American toilets in China.....well, at least they have a FEW American toilets in China!

Hannah .......clueless that American men, in general, do NOT wear makeup!   ;0

What a good sport you are, Jeff! (Keisha's father)

Nate DAILY:  'Aunt Lowie says OH MY SOUL!'

Nate had to settle for Pop-Carts for breakfast this morning!  He wanted pancakes and Syruck but we didn't have enough Syruck.  He then informed me that we should put the syruck in the cabinet NOT the cigerator!  One more morning disappointment for Nate........he had to drink orange juice instead of SPLITE.  He just LOVES Splite!

Well, things are looking up for Nate........he can't wait.........BLITT IS COMING!  BLITT IS COMING!!

And, speaking of 'coming' ........ we had a sweeeeet note awaiting our arrival home recently....

That Hannah.........ya gotta love her!!

HAPPY 4th of JULY from China!

WE STINK AT BLOGGING! :)

Sooooo if you are an avid 'blog follower', you know this by now!  First of all, I would like to spread the 'blog blame' around so I don't have to admit IIIIII stink at blogging!!  ;0    My dear sweet husband (blame #1)

STARTED the blog........which I thought was a GREAT idea.  And, since I do LOVE to write, I thought it 'might' get me past my writing negligence.......which I have suffered from since we began parenting re-cycle!  (blame #2.....if you can't blame anyone else, you can ALWAYS blame the kids, right? :) 

 

So, while I try to make myself feel better by making excuses, I ALWAYS dream about the day I will have time to sit down and write again.  I'm not sure today is that day but I have come up with a bright idea today that put keyboard in hand.

I WILL attempt to share some random thoughts from China......

 posted outside the panda exhibit at the zoo

......as they occur or as I think of them.  Hope you enjoy!

Denise :)

Letter to Leslie

A Special Day

Do you remember?  I DO!  :)

Two years ago, TODAY, we met a verrrrrrrrrrrrry special girl.  This girl was so shy!  I remember for the whole weekend it seemed she held on to Kara and wouldn't let go!  ;0  She kept her head down most of the time, seemingly embarrassed to look into my eyes.  She was sooooo quiet and sooooo afraid to speak for fear her English was so bad!  This special girl was Li Mei, an orphan from Guangzhou, China.

Who would've ever thought that 'this special girl' would become 'OUR girl'?!  I never dreamed it would happen.......but it did!  In less than 2 years we had totally fallen in love with this orphan girl and KNEW that we WANTED her to have a FOREVER family........OUR FAMILY! 

Now, there is no more orphan girl.  There is no more shy girl.  There is no more embarrassed girl.  There is no girl 'clinging' to Kara.  Now, there is LESLIE!  Leslie Denise Allen......OUR GIRL!!  A girl who is soooooooo outgoing!  A girl who is soooo funny!  A girl who is quite confident and able to face anyone!  A girl who only clings to the mother and father she has received from God above.  This is OUR girl.....Leslie Denise Allen!  So much has changed in two years!  It's really hard to believe!  We are so blessed by this precious gift from God.......Leslie, OUR girl.

Thank You, God, for blessing our family with Leslie.  Thank You for saving her 'just for us'!  Thank You for saving her soul!  Thank You for sending Jenny to Guangzhou to find her and introduce her to us.  Thank You for protecting her for these many years until she could finally 'come home'.  We love Leslie and we love You, God.

A blessed mother and father we are,
Denise & Steve Allen,
the proud parents of Leslie Denise Allen
brought to us on this day, March 28, 2009

What if the Organizing Function of the Church is Missions?

"Michael Frost, Professor of Evangelism and Missions at Morling College, Sydney, Australia, spoke about the missional church.   He mentions that all churches have four main functions: worship, fellowship, discipleship, and mission. For most of its history, the Christian church has been organized around the worship function. Worship has been the central organizing idea from which the other functions radiate. What if, he says, the organizing function of the church is mission, rather than worship? What would the church look like then? Radically different and much more motivated."


We have been blessed for the past 25 years to be a part of a church such as the one described above.....one that has been, and continues to be, a church centered on missions, rather than worship.  Had it not been for the heart of a pastor whose heart beats 'missions', most likely we would not be in China today.  For as long as we can remember the emphasis at Grace Baptist Church, Dickson, Tennessee, has been 'Go reach the world'.  Many have left, many have never come twice because the 'worship' did not meet their expectations.  For us 'worship' was all the more sweet and precious as a result of the undying theme of our church....'go into all the world'.

As we read this article today about missions our hearts turned toward home......toward our church, Grace Baptist....toward our pastor, Bro Jeff Lankford, who has never lost focus of world missions....toward our Savior, Who left His home in glory to reach the world.

Happy Birthday, Bro Jeff (Feb 6).....and thank you for your devotion to keeping our hearts and the hearts of our children on world missions.

We love you,
Steve & Dee

From the pen of Familia Nunes:

I am result of MISSIONS and I believe the Bible teaches there are 2 kinds of people: a Missionary telling the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST and a person that needs to have a Missionary telling him or her the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST!

And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.  Mark 16:15

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;  Matthew 28:19,20a

but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”  Acts 1:8