Caitlyn Young vs Caitlyn Old - 4 Moving to China?

YOUNG Caitlyn
a LONG time ago :) 

In the early 90's, a few things began to really "get under my skin" about a dear, cherished, beloved relative. I pondered those things & came to the abrupt conclusion that I too could easily slip into similar and perhaps the exact (gasp) behaviors. It was at that time that I began a new file entitled, "Caitlyn Young vs Caitlyn Old". About 2-3 times each year, I send the file to a few "sister friends" in the hopes that they will NOT let me edit the entries as I get older to suit my fancy.

Moving to China?

I'm so thankful that a big part of my life has been with my favorite comedian of all time (aka my husband)! Humor always seems to take the edge off of real life, doesn't it?

A few years ago, my mom announced that she was going with a close friend on an alumni trip to China. This would be the mom who gets almost all her clothes (and OUR presents) from a local used clothing shop, who complains that she has to eat cereal for supper due to the lack of money, who wants us to cover the cost of the gas necessary to come visit her grandkids (even when she initiates the trip), and who keeps her house as cold as a coffin in the winter and, in the summer, as warm as - hmmm, you get the idea. Back to the China trip, we were told that the cost of the trip was none of our business. We were even told that there was plenty of money to cover the trip cost. None of her adult children could get a straight answer from her as to whether the trip was something she could handle financially at that time.

Shortly after the siblings & spouses had processed all of this toegether, I received the following note from a close friend:

When I was talking to your husband after the meeting yesterday I said, "I heard your mother-in-law is going to go to China." His immediate reply was, "I hope she moves there." 

My friend went on to comment: "Isn't that hilarious! He comes up with some funny stuff sometimes. And he's so serious about it all too - which is great! Hope I didn't get him in trouble right there :)"

Of course, my husband (the LOML) was kidding. My mom took the trip to China.. and, she CAME BACK! She had a wonderful time, made some great memories with friends and took some fantastic photos. She's still under the same roof; eating cereal for supper under a cozy blanket. We all survived :)

So my advise today to the me of the present and the coming years is "Always keep your humor; trust in the LORD at all times!" 

God always sees the BIG PICTURE and was "spot on" when he inspired the writing of Proverbs 3:5-7 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths. Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn your back on evil."

FORMER POSTS IN THIS "SERIES"

Caitlyn Young vs Caitlyn Old #1 - Sleep Around

Caitlyn Young vs Caitlyn Old #2 - The World Doesn't Owe Me

Caitlyn Young vs Caitlyn Old #3 - Giving With No Strings Attached

100% of the donations go straight to Haiti Relief

Especially for those in this area... this from our church's most recent newsletter:
MPC Responses to Haiti Earthquake
For nearly two decades, Madison Park Church of God (MPC) has invested in life-giving and lifechanging missions work in Haiti. One of three nations to which MPC provides focused missions resources—India and Russia, the other two— Haiti is home to 233 Church of God congregations with an estimated 32,000 members.


MPC’s focused, long-term mission strategy in Haiti involves a partnership with Church of God Ministries, our church affiliated offices and Mission Haiti, Midwest, Inc. (Mission Haiti), a free-standing, but Church of God affiliated mission agency that works closes with Church of God Ministries and the national Church of God leader in Haiti Phyllis Newby.


Mission Haiti, founded in 1998 by MPC-goer Dr. Mark Fulton and his wife, Kathy, provides health services, through work camp clinics and the operation of an outpatient clinic and hospital adjacent to an orphanage on a Church of God ministry campus at St. Ard. Miraculously, the hospital, located just 20 miles from the epicenter of the quake, escaped serious destruction.


Furthermore, a diesel powered generator, recently donated by I-Power of Anderson, Indiana, is operative and being used to pump clean well water—a scarce necessity at this critical relief phase. But in order to keep the generator operating, Mission Haiti, will need to purchase more diesel fuel, which is available on the island, but at premium price, in wake of the earthquake. Prescription medications, available only through medical professional, are also a great need.


Partner with Us – Give Now
You can help provide on-the-ground, front-line assistance by giving financially to our strategic partner, Mission Haiti. One-hundred percent of your financial gift to Mission Haiti goes towards the relief effort.


The website for Madison Park Church is http://www.madisonparkchurch.org/
The website for Mission Haiti Midwest is http://www.missionhaitimidwest.org/