What a week! It’s been wonderful to connect with old friends and make some new ones. Thanks to all of you who commented, wished me well, and have gone down memory lane with me. If this was your first week at The Messy Middle, thanks for stopping by, I look forward to getting to know you.
It’s been a full week and just to be sure you didn’t miss anything, here’s a recap:
Day one —Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start
Day two —Coming to China, boy did she step in it
Day three —Modern Day Foot-Binding {aka How do they walk in those?}
Day four —Four life lessons from the summer of 1992
Day five —So, China how have the last 20 years fared?
It’s good to pause and reflect on a lived life. To acknowledge the hard parts and celebrate the good, taking time to see God’s hand at work in ways we simply can’t when we are in the middle of it. It truly has been a rich twenty years, leading me to wonder what the next twenty will hold. I certainly didn’t foresee all of this or all of you! To say I am blessed is putting it mildly. Richly blessed it is. And grateful, oh so grateful.
Amy, young and eager has become Amy, mid-stream, wiser for the bumps and bruises, more humble through the growing pains of life, more tender for the stories I’ve been invited into, and more amazed at the lengths God will go to for humanity. I know I have already over used the word rich, there simply is no other word to describe the last 20 years. Rich does not mean easy, Lord, no. You know it, I know it. Rich does not mean all fun and games. There is a depth and a value to rich, so as it rings in this writing, it rings in my soul.
Rich, rich, rich.
Blessed, Blessed, Blessed.
Beloved, Beloved, Beloved.
One more time. Thank you. For loving me. For celebrating with me. For being an integral part of the richness of life. Dear reader, fellow sojourner, thank you.
In other news, I have recently completed my first ebook: Regaining Eden Lost. {And am super excited!} I’m looking for people who would be willing to read it and give me feedback — if you are interested, leave a comment saying something like, “finally, my big chance to tell me what I really think of your writing!” or “Count me in!” and I’ll email you a copy. I love being in this journey together!
To those in Canada and America, have a wonderful three day holiday.
To those in the rest of the world, have a great weekend.
Amy
I finally get to read your first e-book! {Hint} ^_^
You got it! … twill email promptly … and Amy, you are always such an encouragement to me!
I love nitpicking, correcting and reading about your life and thoughts. Sign me up!
You are one I can count on to have my back :)
You are awesome, an inspiration :)
Loved reading about your 20 yr anniversary this week – can’t believe its been that long.
Think about you often – anytime we see sheep or sheepy things :)
x
I KNOW! Can you believe I met you before I’d ever been to China. Now if that doesn’t put things in scary time perspective :). Lorna, my life is SO much richer (see, I CAN NOT help myself from using that word) because of all my Scotland time, friends, and memories. Any time I see something sheepy, I think of you too :)
with love, Amy
would love to read your ebook and give feedback!
You got it! … twill email promptly
I would love to read your ebook because how cool to read a book written by my big sis :) I’m so proud of you.
:) Thanks Laura!
Count me in!
Thanks! I’ll email it soon! :)
Would consider it a great honor to be one of the first to read it! :) Love you girl!
Love you too … love you too. {and thanks!}
Amy, I have loved being with you (virtually) this week and George & I would love to read your book. Believe me anyone whose path crosses with yours is richer for it. We love you!
Amy, I have loved being with you (virtually) this week and George & I would love to read your book. Believe me anyone whose path crosses with yours is richer for it.
And just like that, I’ve gone international! Now if only I could non-virtually travel and be with you and George today. Ahhhh, that would be so lovely. So lovely.
Amy, I would love to read your ebook and give you feedback! I am pretty sure you have my email address already. :)
Thank you thank you thank you!
You know I’m in.
You bless me girl!
Me too, me too! I love the title!
:) well, that’s at least a good place to start! Now if you’ll love beyond page 2 :)
Although I’m a new reader, I’d love to learn more about your book and read a bit if you’ll allow me. I’m also truly inspired to hear you’ve lived two decades in China (and some of the things you’ve overcome)! Amazing!
Thanks Erin, I’ll email it to you … I love your blog and writing. I’m so glad we’ve found each other (sorry to sound so cheesy! but it is true.)
Hey Amy – Twenty years…where has the time gone? Back then I was living in Scotland and you in Lawrence. God has certainly taken us to many destinations unknown that were filled with great joys and sorrows, fun and stress and everything in between. It’s been a privilege not only to walk these years with you but also to have you walk with me. Send the book…Steve and I would love to read it.
I know! I think visiting you in Scotland was a great “first step” towards what has become an amazing journey. Thanks for having a look at the book!
I would love to read your book and give feedback! Your way with words, depth of experience, and spiritual insights so often make me laugh, or prick my conscience, that I can’t imagine your book being anything but invigorating! Blessings.
You bless me. it’s humbling.
I would just love to read your e book! Thank you for the offer.
and thanks for your help!
You know I’m in…can’t wait to read your thoughts!
Thanks JoDee :)
Count me in too! Looking forward to reading it.
Yippee!
would love to be a reader for you. just know that i can be a harsh editor =) but i do it in love. and i do love you, so it can only be good.
Harsh is welcome! I do know it will be done out of love :)
I will be delighted to read your book! Send it!! BTW, when do you sleep?? Blog, book, job …. Just checking!!!!
At night :) … and I am sleep freak, so no worries, I get at least 7.5 to 8 hours! But, always good to check!!
**LIKE**
Well it goes without saying that you know I would love to read anything that you have written. :) For the longest time, I had the dissertation you had written for your MA in my stuff! (I’m pretty sure that’s what it was…) I read that a couple of times and loved it. I confess it may not have made it into the major down-sizing I had to do a few years ago. But I do appreciate your written words very much. So if you are not already overburdened with too many volunteer readers, I’m in. :)
Thank you for a wonderful week of writing, and once more, many congratulations on your Chinaversary. What I think is going to be REALLY cool is when you are celebrating your 40th. *grin* Not that 20 is anything to sneeze at. But I hope you make it to 40, if that is your heart’s desire.
Thanks, Ai Mei.
Karin
Oh Karin, surely you had better things to read than my MA project :) … but I will say that I was super proud of it and still love the idea (for anyone who cares: using cartoons to teaching inferencing skills in reading. I just think learning can be fun! And there are so many things that cartoon require us to infer. OK, I’ll get off my soap box). Karin, thanks for going down memory lane and then taking me down it a bit too :)! Who knows how many it will be, but 40 sounds like something to aim for! Amy
I’m definitely interested in reading it. Feel free to shoot a copy my way if you still need readers!
Me!! Me!! Me!! I’d love to read it!
If you still need another pair of eyes.
P.S. Congrats on 20 years too–that’s a biggie!
Thanks … and there’s always room for another reader! (until September 23rd, that is :))