I can't imagine being pregnant right now...

Could you imagine being 9 months pregnant right now?

I can’t imagine it. I can’t imagine traveling hundreds of miles while on the brink of birth and getting to your hometown just to stay in a barn. But just because I can’t imagine it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. There are a few other things my imagination can’t quite create either:

A year ago, I never imagined standing in front of 30 freshman students in a white walled classroom in the north east of China sharing how it was because of Love that we were given a Gift at Christmas time. That this Gift would save the world, split time, and revolutionize so much of what we do. 

I never imagined I would be helping correct the pronunciation of the Word, the name, that every nation would be mesmerized by and bow to.

I never imagined how quickly a life could be changed and flipped around.

I never really imagined the Power of the Word and how it acts like a slippery slide going downhill into His arms, once they’re reading and in a community… it’s only a matter of time.

I never imagined that in only a few months we would have 3 new Family members that we alone got to Talk to our Father about. I never imagined having a large movement of other Family members who are active on campus too.

I never imagined how His presence in me would bring so many people joy just by sitting and talking with me. How they would openly confess and start talking about Him and His family unprompted by my own mouth but just by His presence.

I never imagined that each day in a week would be the new coldest day of my life. Today we’ve got -18 to start Christmas morning.

I never imagined how many students would be so excited to learn English and talk with their foreign teacher. I also never thought of how normal it is to call yourself a foreigner.

I never imagined so many people telling me I’m good looking. (I guess He’s trying to tell me that He did a good job when He made me. -- P.S. He did good on you too.)

I never imagined how extremely difficult Chinese would be to learn. Whew-eee.

I never imagined how much I would come to appreciate a western toilet.

I never really imagined how much I didn’t know (about teaching, about people, about the world, about the Word, about so many things.. . I am learning quickly and continuously.) I also never imagined how much work and how big of an issue teaching would be. (I grossly underestimated this.)

I never imagined how funny life in China and life as a teacher could be.  I also never realized how quickly my English level can drop and how easy Chinglish (Chinese + English phrases) can come into my vocabulary.

I never imagined I would sing in front of hundreds of people so many times in so little time.

I never imagined how many times I could be asked, “Do you like China?” “How long you China?” “Can you use chopsticks?” in one day… and still keep a smile and laugh about it.

I never imagined that the dining halls would intentionally cook food with more fat and grease to fatten us up so that we would stay warmer during the cold winter months. Seriously. And… it’s working too. Ut oh.

I never imagined how much I would miss you. Usually, I’m good at moving on and following Him, but a good part of my heart is still with you and I find joy when I hear from you and your growth and love.

I can’t imagine being anyone else than here. Although , some days are much harder and all I seem to want is a friendly face from WV, I am blessed to get to be here, to get to do what I am doing, to get to have an impact on the lives of so many students.  

I still can’t quite imagine how wide and long and high and deep is the Love He has for us. It blows me away. … Well, it blew me to the other side of the world anyways. :)

with Love, peace, and extra fattening grease,
(but the greatest is still Love)
Abram

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be the glory in the (Fellowship) and in (the Son) throughout all generations, for ever and ever.  –E:3:20