Give Until There's Nothing Left

Hey all. This is Barret again. I thought I could do one more blog before we head home. Well today was just right out a good day. I really wanted to enjoy one of our last days here in China and I definitely did. The day began with a little bit of sleep-in time which I loved of course. We then enjoyed our breakfast buffet at the hotel while sitting by the river. After resting awhile in the room, we went out to take a walk. We got a few gifts, went to the famous Guangzhou Starbucks, and just enjoyed walking around on a hot day. We soon then went out for a quick early dinner next to the river. After that we met up with our friends, the Thompson's, and went on a Pearl River night cruise. It was a great day!

The girls were alive today and we saw some of our first real action of them bonding. At breakfast they were running around together and playing and then when we went back to the room, they kissed each other while playing. It was very fun to see them enjoying each other so much. We got to enjoy our dinner to the utmost as both of the girls were asleep! Yes! It was a great dinner. I especially enjoyed the day mainly because I got to be with some of the people I love the most in this world and everyone was in a good mood and the girls were happy.

I also wanted to talk about yesterday when we went to go see where Poppy was abandoned. I was in awe of the entire trip from the scenery, to the lunch, and most importantly where Poppy was left. It was eerie to be standing exactly where Poppy had been abandoned long before we ever knew her. It was so cool and I will remember that experience my whole life. I told my dad at the end of driving for almost 13 hours total, "The trip was totally worth it dad, but barely!" The drive was just dreadful. There were no roads so it was very bumpy and I got a little sick and that is why I have to say it was barely worth it. But don't get me wrong, I wouldn't change that day for anything in the world.

Today I was kind of in a reflective mode as I often am at the conclusion of long trips. There was a brief time on the cruise boat that I was the only person on the top level. I was soaking in the beauty, the memories, the feelings, and the Lord. I just stood there and thanked the Lord for such a great trip. I started to pray that he would help me with my finals coming up in a couple weeks and then it hit me to stop always praying for things where I will gain. I listened to a song in the car ride that just reminded me that until the day we die we need to give until there's nothing left. It reminded me that many times we pray for our own gain. Not even knowing, that's what I was doing. Not that praying for the Lord to help me in school is wrong, but I just wanted to remember to ask the Lord to help me give my life to others, to pour myself out for the good of others! I do not think that it absolutely means to give money and belongings and palpable things, but rather to give your time, your love, and your effort so that others may know that you are His. And that is a main teaching I will try harder to live by every day. I want to give my life to others for my Father. The first time I ever learned what this really meant was last year at San Quintin, Mexico. I love to put my effort in play here and everywhere. I will give until there is nothing in me left.

Miss you all and can't wait to get home to see everyone and get back into the old California life.

In Him,

Barret