Perhaps

Perhaps I could have gone to China. This is something I tell myself from time to time when I look back on the way my life has gone. In the summer before my last semester, I spent three weeks in China, working in a university and attending English conversation meetings. My time there served to confirm my calling to missions and I left sure I would return after I finished my last semester.
The first challenge was convincing my parents that it was a good idea. My mother's first response was something like, "Absolutely NOT!" But she finally calmed down and didn't want to hinder what I felt led to do so she accepted it, though she wasn't too happy about it.
Then, I found out that I was about 1 week too late to turn in an application with the IMB and be able to begin my assignment as soon as I left. I could wait to begin the process about 3 mos. later, but I wanted to be there right away. I emailed the man we had been working with, and he welcomed me to come on my own; he would find a teaching job for me and all would be well. However, I was still uneasy about taking such a big step without an organization backing me. I talked with a professor and he assured me that if I waited, there would still be lost people in China, and God would use someone else in the meantime to do his work.
In the end, all the various (though not overcomable) challenges led me down a different direction. First, I worked with a ministry in Arlington, learning more about local missions in 6 mos that I ever could have learned in school, then began working at GABC a few months later.
I often try to consider what my life would have been like if I had chosen to go to China. I have come to the conclusion that this was one instance where God opened two doors for me and would have blessed either one. If I had chosen to go to China, I think great things would have happened. By staying here, great things happened. Our God is big enough to work all things out for his glory, and so I am committed not to think "What if" but "perhaps." I don't want to live in regret that I did not go to China, but it is kind of interesting to think "perhaps" this would have happened if I had. I often think, perhaps I still would have ended up at GABC after returning from China and be on the same path I am on-or maybe not!

Easter Egg-stravagnza

Spencer and I dyed Easter eggs today, so I thought I would share a little bit of our fun with you. We tried a little of everything, so some things turned out well and some didn't. Maybe it will help you in your egg dyeing escapades. Here are some pics:

First, gather your materials. Don't forget to boil your eggs. A lot of our cracked, I think because we had medium sized eggs, but I did some research and it looks like that's ok (but I don't make any guarantees). Some people crack theirs on purpose after they boil them for a-well-cracked look, so I figured it didn't matter when the cracks come.
Then, decide if you want some reversed dying opportunities. I tried glitter glue, regular glue (well, craft glue) and stickers. I will show you the results later. You can also wait to add these things after the dyeing is done.
Next, get a good helper...and a cute one is even better. Don't forget the apron!
Then, make your dye according to the instructions on the package. I separated it into individual styrofoam cups so that I could put them in the fridge and get a little more color. A little more work that I used to do when I was little, but we will see if the color is better. I also used vinegar, which is supposed to make the colors more vibrant.

Here we are adding glitter after a short dip in the coloring.




Then, all little cute helpers need a snack break, also know as snack basket in our house, for their hard work.After a little while, probably could have used longer, here are the results!


The glue worked well at keeping off the dye, but it would have been better if we would have waited for it to dry!




The crayon did AWESOME! Probably my favorite but I forgot about it til the end and only got it on one!Here are some cracked ones.

Here are the glittered ones. The glitter came off, but still kept it from dyeing. Probably did better than regular glue because it was actually completely dry. Where the stickers stayed on, it looks good, but they didn't coat exceptionally well, so that might not be best.




Here is the final results. We were kind of bored of this project by the end, so we didn't add any more stickers or anything, but maybe tomorrow we will get some more energy!

And luckily, Annie slept through it all, even this posting. But if anyone can tell me a better way to add pics, I sure would be happy!

Next up: Empty Tomb Cookies on Easter Day (you have to start Sat. night). Go here: http://faithfulprovisions.com/2011/04/11/empty-tomb-cookies-project-tutorial/ if you want to make them too!