Last night I was suddenly awakened at three o'clock in the morning. I couldn't sleep, so I brought my pillow and blanket out to the living room. After jacking around a bit online just for fun, I decided that maybe the reason I was awake is because I was supposed to pray. I've heard of how God sometimes wakes people up in the middle of the night because he wants them to pray about something. But I had no idea what it was I should pray for, much less if that was even the reason I was awake. The only thing I could think to do is open my Bible and start reading. But the Bible I usually read  from was in my room, and I didn't want to go back in there and wake up my roomie, so I opted for my study Bible instead. When I opened the front cover, I saw little notes that had been written there by my high school teachers before I graduated. The Bible was a gift from the school. Almost every message said something about how God was going to bless my life. As I read, I started to wonder how much influence such well-wishing really has in a person's life. I mean, sometimes people say "God bless you" flippantly, without really thinking about it. Does God respond to that? I don't know. But I felt blessed when I read those messages, that's for sure, even if my teachers don't remember writing it.

Anyhow, after that I read some more from the Bible then decided to just pray. I still didn't know what to pray for, so I told God that I was going to let him talk to me about whatever it was he wanted to bring to my attention. Eventually, I was led to pray for my parents. They're going through some tough times with my little sister right now, so I prayed for that whole situation. After a while, I drifted off to sleep.

This is where it gets weird. I started dreaming that Satan was near me. I could feel an evil presence all around me. Everything seemed dark and hopeless. I was afraid. After a while, I realized that I wasn't asleep anymore, but I was still experiencing the dream. I tried to move because I thought that maybe if I could wake myself up the dream would end, but my body was frozen. Nothing worked. It was as though I was paralyzed, and I was getting more and more scared because I knew I needed to get out of there. Friends, I literally called out to God and begged him to help me. It was like I was being attacked by an evil presence, and only God could rescue me from it. Finally I was able to move my arms and legs enough to grab my pillow and blanket and head back to my room. I wanted to get away from the living room as quickly as possible because I was so shaken from the dream.

Once I got back to my room, I had to pray again that God would protect me from whatever it was that had attacked me. And then the thought occured to me that where I'm headed is a place of spiritual darkness, and I'll be living all alone. My dependence on God is going to be so complete there. He's the only one that will be able to protect me from evil. It really scares me because I know Satan would do anything to stop me from sharing God's word with people.

I don't know what happened last night, but it wasn't pleasant. I'm just glad that I'm a child of the most powerful being in existence.

Hope that won't give you nightmares, friends. But evil is real. Be glad if you're on the winning side.

Friends, for all of you out there who desire to know what's going on with me once I arrive in China, I have created a new xanga site devoted solely to letting you all know what I'm up to. Here's the catch, I created a new site because I wrote things on this one about being a missionary to the Chinese people. That's bad. I will not be able to access this site from China because the Chinese government has the capability to see what sites you visit. I wouldn't want them to find out my true reason for living in China. I'm sure you all understand. Also, THIS IS IMPORTANT: I know you will want to make comments on the new site and that's totally cool because I want to hear from you, BUT.... PLEASE SAY NOTHING ABOUT MISSIONS!!! If you want to tell me you're praying for me, that's ok. If you want to give me a Bible verse to read, that's ok. If you want to ask me how many people I've had the opportunity to witness to, that's NOT OKAY! Oh, and do not mention anything about the others who will be with me in China. As far as the Chinese government is concerned, I am coming to China alone knowing no one. It's important that they don't find out that we're a team.  Feel free to speak in code. In fact, it might be kinda fun for you to try. For example, someone e-mailed me today and said, "I'll speak to the boss for you." That was creative. Okay, so my new site name is..... *drum roll* ShinockInChina. Feel free to visit it. I won't put any China updates on it till I get there, obviously. But that's not too far off. Three and a half weeks, to be exact. Coolness.

Here's the word of the day: sucknessationola. Try using it in a sentence. Employ it in conversation with a friend. It's fun.

Sometimes I go online with every intention of updating my xanga site, but once I get to it I just freeze up.  It's like I get angry at the thought of having to type something out. That's when I opt to just read other people's sites hoping for some inspiration or something. (I just threw my roommate's cat across the room. She annoys me. I hate her.)

Ooo. That gives me an idea of something to write about. Cats. I would say that I'm definitely a "cat person" as opposed to a "dog person." My reasoning may be a little strange, but bear with me. First of all, I like cats better because they are "aloof." I don't have to worry about them coming up to me and getting all up in my face when I'm trying to eat or watch t.v. or whatever.  Secondly, cats tend to deficate in one spot, which is easily cleanable and low maintenance. Third, they are way cute to look at. (Hairless kittens may be the exception to this rule.) Fourth, you can leave them home alone for long periods of time as long as they have food and water and a clean litter box.  Fifth, they don't drool on you or lick you, unless you ask them to. Sixth, they don't bark out the window in the middle of the night, or at any time for that matter.  Seventh, their eyes glow in the dark. Eighth, they can climb trees. Ninth, they can survive without human care. Tenth, they are small and don't take up much space. I could go on, but I think that just about covers the biggest reasons why I like cats better than dogs.

Now, let me tell you why I HATE my roommate's cat. First of all, she is not aloof. She gets up in my face all the time, no matter what I'm doing. Second, she threw up on my bed. Third, she gives me the creeps when I look her in the eye. She gives off a weird vibe. Unexplainable. Fourth, my roommate treats her like she's her kid. I seriously think Danica would choose her cat over me if forced to make a choice between the two of us. Fifth, she has bad breath. Sixth, I have to keep my bedroom door closed at night, otherwise she would crawl around on me and keep me up all night. Seventh, she has the same name as my sister. (The one who is getting married while I'm in China. Enough said.) Eighth, I just don't like her.

Well, I think that just about wraps it all up, folks. Let me know what you think.

Peace out!

Here's the promised "incriminating picture" of Robbie at the Dunes.  What in the world is he doing? I refuse to take any responsibility for this pic. 

In other news, my fund-raising for China has me all excited today.  I need to raise $4,000 to go, and I currently have just over $3000 with a month to go before take-off.  Praise God! 

It's good to be back in East Lansing after 8 days in training at Bethel, but, man, was it a bummer saying good-bye yesterday.  It felt like the last day of camp when I was a kid.  *sniff, sniff* I'll be okay.  Don't worry about me. 

Weird. This time next month I'll be saying good-bye to everyone I know for an entire year.  Not a happy thought.  Well, am I pretty excited about getting over to China and having the opportunity to share some hard-core truth with people.  But saying good-bye is never fun.   

So, I went to the Warren Dunes on Saturday with my China peeps and Andrew P-Diddy Pannabecker.  A good time was had by all.  The weather was perfect. Cool, gentle breeze. Mostly sunny with occasional clouds creating dancing shadows accross the sand.  The water was warm, but not too warm, and cool enough to take away the heat that was built up while we buried "Merman Robbie" in the sand.  (Perhaps I will post an incriminating picture later). 

I've decided that the Warren Dunes is my new favorite place to go in Michigan.  Playing around in the clay pits, Dune jumping, taking pictures, messing around with friends, and even having a serious conversation or two is a great way to spend the day. I would highly recommend it.  However, if you find yourself in the situation where your friends are trying to convince you to climb the big hill a second time, using all forms of manipulation and coercion, in the words of the knights in Monty Python as they faced the Frenchmen, "Run Away! Run Away!"