Our Homes in Tianjin, Evansville, & Heaven

It's hard to believe, but one year ago today we closed on our home. I'm really not sure where the time has gone. Didn't we just move to the States?

When we moved here from China in the summer of 2016, Megan found us a newly renovated two bedroom condo that worked for our family. The girls shared a huge bedroom, and we put a bed donated by our home church in the loft for Josiah Lee. Older kiddos probably prefer more privacy, but I delighted in the fact that four-year-olds could care less about their sleeping arrangements.

God has always blessed us with nice homes in China and the States. Our homes have been vastly different, and we're thankful for all that God has provided. Regardless of where we have lived and what we've been given, we've built our homes on the precious cornerstone and solid foundation, Jesus Christ. We want our homes to be used to serve others and bring God glory. Additionally, we remember our homes are temporary and that new homes are being prepared for us.

Below are some of the similarities and differences between our homes in Tianjin and Evansville. I look forward to seeing what God will provide next here and in Heaven.

In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? John 14:2

1. Our last apartment in China was on the 9th floor and now we live in a brick ranch home.

2. An elevator opened up to a mudroom where I stored my mountain bike. Today we enter our home through the back door on our deck.

3. We had three balconies that overlooked a ton of high-rise apartments. Our neighborhood today is surrounded by one and two-story homes with well-manicured yards.

4. Our apartments in China (seven in 13 years) and our home in Evansville are within walking distance to hospitals, restaurants, banks, and other businesses.

5. We never had a dishwasher or fireplace in China, and a dryer was a luxury we owned for less than two years.

6. In China, we locked up most of our bikes and my motorbike outside. Now we park our minivan and a full-size car in our garage. We also have a yard shed which stores our riding mower, wood chipper, and other lawn equipment.

7. Ducks and geese are commonplace where we last lived in China and where we live now. One difference is we used to see peacocks on occasion and now we see squirrels and rabbits all of the time.

A God of Justice

God of Justice from Mark Wickersham

The outline of this chapel message comes from the gotquestions site.

Unique Food I've Eaten Abroad & in the States

When I lived overseas, I got the opportunity to eat lots of unique food: cicadas, duck bills and feet, salted scorpions, entire fish, starfish, seahorses, and snake on a stick, every organ imaginable, and even rocks. Some of it was great and some of it, well, tasted like rocks.

Although American cuisine isn't what I would call adventurous, I've been able to chow down on a few delectables these past two years that aren't considered your everyday fare. Check out below what I've been able to eat in my home, order on the street, or have at a restaurant.

1. Wild boar - This winter Megan made some burritos with some wild boar that we were gifted with, and they were definitely restaurant worthy.

2. Frog legs - Surprisingly, I've been able to eat frog legs at a couple different Chinese restaurants in town. Ribbit.

3. Brain sandwich - I ordered one of these sandwiches at the Fall Festival here in Evansville. They're kind of like scrambled eggs.

4. Beef tartare - My little bro ordered us this raw meat dish, and I found it to be da bomb diggity! I've eaten a ton of different kinds of meat raw, and this was by far my favorite.

5. Venison - Although I'm not a hunter, I'm thankful for those who hunt and share their game with mi familia.

6. Pizza with mussels - I'm a big fan of seafood and a big fan of pizza so why not put them together?

7. Chicken hearts - I used to get chicken hearts every time I ate at Brazilian steakhouses in China, and I was happy to recently get some at a Chinese New Year festival.

Were you aware these dishes can be consumed right here in the good ol' U.S. of A? What unique foods have found their way to your stomach? The next time you see some food that looks or smells a little funky, why not give it a go? Don't knock it until you've tried it. Bon Appetit! 

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31.

I'm eating saltwater smelts filled with eggs galore. Yum.