House Hunt Ahead

I hate to tantalize you fine freezing folk, but spring has sprung, and blossoms brighten our lives, so recently bereaved of our "piggies". We do miss their eager welcoming squeals as we come in!

Plans are afoot for Frank's parents to come to Hangzhou and live in this apartment, while we rent a more commodious one (adequate for meetings ). This should keep us occupied for awhile, as it also involves renovating this place. And with the coming of spring I am longing to have just any wee spot to plant a few of the seeds I've prepared by faith....or presumption? Here there is not a square inch available even on a balcony.

A prayer request came in today from Yunnan, where Bro. Fang (Scarlett's husband) is right now. A family of (former) sorcerers whom they led to the Lord two years ago, are under attack, while all the village looks on to see what happens to followers of Christ. The mother was quite wounded when a cow kicked her....which the enemy would use to discredit the Lord.....but we are praying for the Lord to be greatly glorified in this very thing.

And today as I think of troubles snowballing in about every direction I look (except Up), I am glad to pass on a quote from Parables of the Cross by Lilias Trotter:
TAKE THE VERY HARDEST THING IN YOUR LIFE--THE PLACE OF DIFFICULTY, OUTWARD OR INWARD, AND EXPECT GOD TO TRIUMPH GLORIOUSLY IN THAT VERY SPOT. JUST THERE HE CAN BRING YOUR SOUL INTO BLOSSOM.
I am reading A Passion for the Impossible: The Life of Lilias Trotter and am struck by the fact that towering accomplishments came in spite of physical frailty. May I share another of her gems?
TRAINED FAITH IS A TRIUMPHANT GLADNESS IN HAVING NOTHING BUT GOD--NO REST, NO FOOTHOLD---NOTHING BUT HIMSELF--A TRIUMPHANT GLADNESS IN SWINGING OUT INTO THAT ABYSS, REJOICING IN A VERY FRESH EMERGENCY THAT IS GOING TO PROVE HIM TRUE---THE LORD ALONE-- THAT IS TRAINED FAITH.
and in conclusion:
When God delays in fulfilling our little thoughts, it is to have Himself room to work out His great ones.