The shadow proves the sunshine...

Justin and I decided to watch a documentary titled "Fading West" by Switchfoot last weekend. It was a really inspiring story and made me think a lot. I actually have been in a contemplative state for a little while, and I am now taking the time to sit down and write out a bit of our story over the last few months and where we are in this journey we are on.

When I was browsing alone on YouTube watching surfing videos (strange, I know, but a slight obsession of mine), I came across this video advertising for the "Fading West" documentary. I was reminded of the song "The Shadow Proves The Sunshine" by Switchfoot, and I thought about how the lyrics were so appropriate for the journey Justin and I have been on together since we got married.

Sunshine, won't you be my mother?

Sunshine, come and help me sing

My heart is darker than these oceans

My heart is frozen underneath

We Are

Dry eyes in the pouring rain while

The shadow proves the sunshine

Two scared little runaways

Hold fast till the break of daylight when

The shadow proves the sunshine

Crooked souls trying to stay up straight

Oh Lord, why did you forsake me?

Oh Lord, don't be far away (away)

Storm clouds gathering beside me

Please Lord, don't look the other way

We Are

Crooked souls trying to stay up straight

Dry eyes in the pouring rain while

The shadow proves the sunshine

Two scared little runaways

Hold fast till the break of daylight when

The shadow proves the sunshine

When we embarked on this adventure of marriage, we really had NO idea what we were getting into. Justin was happy with me doing missions on my own short term, while he pursued his dreams of studio success. We tried to buy a house before our wedding, but were unable to. We were helping with a church plant in Brandon while we were engaged and then decided to help with another one just before our wedding in New Port Richey. We wanted so badly to live close to our church, but we were unable to because of work and because we could not find a house. We settled for an apartment in Tampa, and made treks in all directions to make our lives work.

In the spring after we got married, I stopped working with the missions organization I was with because of finances. Then, in the summer, we began the house search again after moving in with Justin's parents. After a long struggle, we got a house and were getting ready to move in. Then, everything changed, we were suddenly given the opportunity to come to China in the new year, to try something for six months. We moved into our house, lived there for three months, found tenants, and moved to China.

We were not met without opposition, because no one understood why we would make such a rash decision. For both of us, it was a perfect solution. Justin could still do his studio work while I pursued my dreams of doing work in another country. We were happy to quit dead end jobs without meaning and run to greater horizons. We could not answer the questions: What will you be doing there? Are you going to be working? Where will you live? How will you communicate?

We just did not have the answers. We still do not have all the answers.

This is where the shadow comes in. Everything here is much different than we ever pictured. I did not get a job at an international school. It is very difficult to get a teaching job here without a teaching degree and many years of experience. Justin did not get huge opportunities to work in the music industry. It just does not work like that here.

Our situation with our house dramatically deteriorated as well. We are currently in the process of evicting tenants and are looking for new ones. We are behind on mortgage payments. We have thankfully been able to make payments on everything else at home. We have literally had to wait on the Lord for every penny. Which is a constant battle within my control freak soul.

We have questioned God on what our purpose is: Why did you bring us to China? What do you want us to do? Do you really want us here? Why is all of this happening?

His answer to us... "Just trust me."

So, here comes the sunshine!

Justin and I have an awesome church community here. We are both in discipleship groups and are actively participating in a community of believers that come along side us, support us, and encourage us. We are both able to serve in multiple areas of our church and work within our areas of strength. We have grown together as a couple in Christ so much. We study scripture together and pray together. We have no choice but to lean on God and take each step alongside him. We have gained so much perspective on our purpose as a couple and what God desires of us.

At home, in our crazy lives, in our comfort zones, this would have NEVER happened. God got our attention!

We are so thankful for the support of our parents in this insane journey. We are thankful to our faithful friends, John and Megan, who put up with us in insanely small quarters (we are upgrading soon!). We are thankful for our church in the US and here in China for being such awesome brothers and sisters in Christ.

We ask that you PLEASE pray for us. For our work here. For our journey in our relationship with Christ. For our house and how to move forward.

We would love to set up a communication through email with those of you who would like it. My email is blythe.ure@gmail.com.

We are also needing some physical support. We need to take care of our house and need help moving forward. We need to find tenants, so if you have any advice or know of someone needing a home, please contact me. Also, if you are able to make a financial donation on our behalf to help with our US home, please contact me.

We love you all so much, and miss our US family and friends!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Our First Christmas in China

Hello Everyone!

I know you are thinking, isn't it a little late to be talking about Christmas? To be honest, it is. However, Justin and I had a feeling this year that Christmas came and went, and we missed it. With that being said, our Christmas time was very special and we spent it in a way we never have before. We went to Sancun, Yunnan to help with a documentary about the work being done there.

We flew into Kunming, stayed the night, and took a 7 hour drive into the mountains to Sancun. We stayed in a hotel room with a bed, t.v., and bathroom. It was a unique experience for us, because neither Justin or I had stayed in a room with a squatty potty and only a shower head above it to shower with. We also had no heat or hot water in very cold weather. We learned to adapt quickly, but not without difficulty.

Our Hotel the Ritz Carlton (it was really called that!)

Our Bathroom

The cute pig next to our hotel

The main job of the team with us was to go help at the school in Yizu Village. It was previously a rundown building with only a few classes. In the last year, they have built a three story building and have taken on a lot more students. The kids all come from farming families and live pretty tough lives. They have very little hope, because they do not think that they will ever leave their hometown. For the children, the team had planned a couple of days of classes, a special Christmas carnival involving games, prizes, and some new clothes, and a Christmas performance.

School from above

Our welcoming committee (the whole school sang to us)

The new building

Justin and I helped with a production team that was recording a documentary about the area and the work being done there. Justin was recording all of the sound and I helped with various jobs, especially taking pictures. We had an awesome time seeing the whole team work together and love on the community. We really enjoyed making some new Chinese friends, too, named Qi, Bing Jie, and Lynn, who were on the production team. We will continue to meet up with them in Shanghai now.

Justin ans Qi taking a break

One day, we went to a nursing home in the area where we were working. I have never been comfortable in that setting, but it was nice, because we did a program for the elderly outside. It was awesome because some of the kids from the school came along to help lead songs for the elderly. For just a moment, I was reminded of my grandmother and how much I missed her. My sadness was quickly wiped away though by the silliest image. I encountered the largest pig I have ever seen. It's head came up past Justin's waist.

The largest pig I have EVER seen

The ladies at the home playing a game

We also had the privilege of visiting a village WAY up in the mountains. It took quite a while to get there, but the view was beautiful and the time of day was perfect to see everything. I have to say, that the conditions were not as bad as I have seen in the past, because the houses were structurally sound and their was a system of drainage. I found out, though, that the government has done a lot of projects to help build up villages and the roads leading to them.

They were cornered...

Overall, our Christmas trip was incredible. Justin and I decided to go about a week before the trip, and were blessed by a friend of ours who paid our expenses. We really were hesitant about going because we just wanted to celebrate Christmas like usual. Nevertheless, we were very happy that we decided to go, because it helped us refocus, remember our purpose, and embrace the challenges ahead.

I have so much more to share with you. My silence has been a result of lots of learning through challenges. I hope to have time and the words to share it all with you soon.

P.S.: If you want to see all of the pics from my trip look here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/96566563@N03/sets/72157639431915103/