How an Ugly Duckling from The 

      Far East

       Became

A Beautiful Swan

Here in The West !

       Her classmates told her, “Your eyes are too small, and your face is too round.”

     “You’re fat and you need    plastic surgery," said a  "friend"                                                         

                     Mina was often ridiculed. Born in a small village in southern China in the late 1980’s, she lived a traditional life within the customs and laws of a one-child family system of favoritism of boys over girls.

            Her father started his own business when the Chinese communist party opened the market for people to do business/trading. Though he was successful in his entrepreneurship, her family remained in the farmer’s category--due to the family book system. It was not easy to change societal status, and she was seen as inferior and was often mocked at the school in the city. 

            Due to being born a girl, Mina also suffered rejection from within her own family. After moving to a nearby town, Mina sometimes stayed with her maternal grandmother while her parents were busy with work. This felt like a safe place, except for problems with her paternal grandmother. This grandmother would often visit the front door stoop of the home to stand otside and hurl curses at those inside. Even as she grew older, this grandmother continued the unkindness. Mina's mother also suffered mistreatment by the paternal grandmother because of gender. This left Mina feeling "less than" about her own existence.

     Independence came at an early age for Mina. When she started first grade, her mother brought her to school. But after the first day, she was expected to find her own way home. For many years after she was haunted by the memory of a stormy day when she huddled near the other children, hoping to be picked up by her parents. But as the red tail lights flashed and each car pulled away, Mina was left alone. She walked home by herself in the rain.

       One day, due to hurt and frustration, Mina ran away from home. Sadly, her parents did not look for her. When she reluctantly returned home, she found a note on the front door written to her: "Ugly Duckling," the note said, "You don't belong here." Nevertheless, she stayed and carried on because it was all she could do. But oh, how she wished she could sprout silver wings and fly to a place where others would welcome her.

        When Mina was ten, her mother gave birth to a baby brother. This complicated things in their household, and the cruel favoritism of boys over girls increased. Mina often felt unwanted and neglected.

         After some time, Mina's father went to jail due to a business charge. But in spite of her father's incarceration, the family remained financially stable. She was able to attend a top high school, but the other students teased that she was only there because her parents were wealthy. They also mocked her physical appearance and told her whe was fat and lacked beauty. She also struggeld with grades. In China, teachers rank the students' grades and publish the results to the whole class. She was always on the bottom list and assigned to sit in the back of the room. A high school physics teacher once told her she would never go to college. But what that teacher and Mina didn't know, was that God had bigger plans!

        The first glimpse of a holy God happened when Mina was in middle school. A Christian classmate invited her to attend a local Christian program. Prior to this, she had only participated in traditional settings involving the worship of ancestors and various gods. But after the exposure to Christianity, Mina had nightmares of being threatened by a Chinese goddess. Thereafter, she sometimes felt fearful when she passed a church building. But in spite of these strange beginnings, God's hand was on her life, and things began to change.

       After high school, Mina wanted to attend a good university. She lacked the grades and affluence to be accepted to her dream university; however, God arranged an amazing change in the university's admission policies. For just that one year, the school switched to an interview only policy for its admissions. Mina had a natural ability to lean languages and this one skill made her ratings high. She was accepted by the college and she enrolled in Language and Literature. She graduated four years later with a BA in Business Japanese.

      Following her graduation from the university, Mina went to work full-time for well-known international companies. She eventually started her own business managing short term rentals on Airbnb in China. She was successful in her work and was able to live a life that included many luxuries. But even with her successes, she felt incomplete. She was still trying to live up to other people's expectations.

      Mina describes China as a competitive place. With such a large population, people compete for limited job opportunities. Most people work long hours, and she felt pressured to keep up-or be easily replaced. She began to experience many failures in her life, including a worsening relationship with her family and failed romantic relationships. She also became seriously in debt due to failed business investments in the amount of a half million in Chinese Yuan (about 70,000 USD.)

      Then, at her darkest point, God began to reveal Himself to her. One Christmas Eve, Mina attended a Christian church service in China. She received Christ as her Savior and became a part of a Bible believing congregation. She also began reading and understanding the Bible in ways she never had before. God began a healing and restoration process in her. With help from The Lord, she was able to pay off her large financial debt. It took three years of hard work, but God was faithful and Mina persevered. She restricted her expenses, (even learning how to live off of $1.00 per day some days) and she expanded her income resources by working full-time and then doing several part-time jobs. She also received love offerings from local churches.

      Even though Mina had become a Christian, she still had problems with low self-esteem due to issues from her childhood. She struggled with a spirit of anger within herself, and powers of darkness that refused to release their hold on her. Mina still remembers a night, after attending a Christian service, a female ghost followed her home. No one else could see it, but later that night she awoke to pressure on her chest. The pressure moved to her throat and then began to choke her. Mina fought and cried out to The Lord to save her. The spirit left her, but there was still more to overcome in Mina's life.

      Mina still felt unfulfilled, but gradually, her life was being transformed by God's grace. She felt unhappy with her work, but she didn't know it was because she was not living the life of her true calling. But as she drew closer to the One true God, she began to ask if He had something more for her.

     After fasting and praying, God gave her a vision which revealed that He wanted her to become a Christian counselor. He instructed her to not worry about funds during the transition, she needed only to trust that He would provide.

      She told her pastor’s wife about her vision and the pastor recommended Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida, USA.  As Mina looked into this new possibility, the doors opened, and she stepped into the next chapter of her God-directed life.

In late December of 2019 Mina arrived in Lakeland, Florida with $300 dollars, two suitcases, and a vision from God. She didn’t know anyone, and had no place to go, but she believed God had sent her. She booked a room for one week through Airbnb and prayerfully told God, “If you want me to stay, please make a way. Otherwise, I’ll have to return to China.”

But from the beginning, God miraculously connected her with people who opened their homes to her and people who would give her rides. Mina gratefully recounts how she stayed with four different host families who did not charge her rent, and she has many friends who still happily give her rides to school and other destinations.

Three-and-one half years later, Mina is still in Lakeland and has just graduated with a master’s degree (MSW) in social work. She was no longer at the bottom of her class, but instead, she became a straight A student! The professors at SEU saw her potential, and helped her to achieve her very best.

Most importantly, God made it possible for Mina to pay off her tuition at SEU. There were five semesters in her MSW program, and God provided for each one in different ways. With the help of Student Financial Services, Mina was able to benefit from local community resources including an emergency relief fund and a variety of scholarships. She also received donations from Christians in the community, many of whom still remain anonymous.  God also opened doors for an internship program which allowed her to work as a Graduate Assistant and intern as a mental health counselor. This internship helped her with basic living costs as well as giving her practical experience in the social work field.

       One rainy day recently, Mina saw how her life had come full-circle. As she waited for a friend to pick her up from school, she recalled the day long ago when no one came. This time the car lights flashed and the doors opened to her. This time, she cried for joy because she could see that God was healing the hurts from her past.

  "You don't know the moment, when          the gray

 will suddenly fade, and the     beautiful, white swan will be                               revealed."

Mina now enjoys a better relationship with her family in China, and has a huge Christian family here in the US. She has a more balanced life of work and rest and fellowship with others. Recently, God gave her a vision about a rose gold swan. In the vision, she saw that God is in the process of transforming her life. It’s as if she has passed through many awkward “ugly duckling” stages, and now the moment has come when the gray begins to fade, and the beautiful swan is revealed.

 As Mina looks back at herself, she sees a young girl, curled into a dark corner. But now, she’s living a life filled with light and hope. She loves Lakeland! She sees the swans downtown as symbols of her own personal growth. She notices their graceful necks and how they often make shapes of number twos. This reminds her of Revelation 22:2, which speaks about God’s promises of healing 

 Gift of The Rose God Swan                                                    and restoration.

Mina has a heart that cares about others. She knows that many people out there are still in their personal journeys--gray and awkward like the baby swans. She desires to help them see their potential, and hopes to minister to those who may need help along the way. God is the God of restoration. And as Mina finishes this chapter in her life, she looks forward to seeing what God will do next.

************************************************************************************

3/21/23

    When We think  God   Has Abandoned Us

As I look at my church prayer list, my own troubles and the problems of this world, it’s easy to get discouraged. I can get as dark and depressed as anyone else, but it helps to read my Bible, other Christian books and spend time in prayer.

Right now, I’m reading a book called “The Red Sea Rules” by Robert J. Morgan. In it, the author assures me that God has me right where He wants me. It’s been a reminder that if God has allowed troubles into my life, then it is for His greater purpose. And even though I feel trapped by the Egyptian army and pressed against The Red Sea, I am exactly where He wants me to be. I’m finding comfort in that reality, and learning to relax and let go, while I wait for Him to open a way.

God doesn’t owe me any more days on this earth, and He’s already given me His best when He gave me eternal life through Christ. It’s just hard not to be greedy for more. And as I struggle with weakness and sometimes pain, it’s easy to think He has abandoned me, even though, He told me He’d never leave me or forsake me.

Mary and Martha thought Jesus had abandoned them too. When their brother Lazarus died, Jesus waited 4 days before he showed up to help them. Those 4 days were probably very long days. I know my mind can go a lot of places in a short time, and maybe you've waited a long time for answered prayer as well.

Mary and Martha knew Him in a way that most of us have not. They saw His physical presence, saw His miracles and even called Him “friend.” But when He stayed away at their time of great need, they may have begun to think He didn’t care. 

In John 11:35, the Bible says that when Jesus finally met up with Mary and the others He actually wept. But He couldn’t have been grieved over losing His friend because He knew He had power over life and death. I believe, instead, He was moved out of compassion for his hurting friends. I think He cared so much that He felt their sorrow as if it were His own.

God is not unkind, even though He can be hard on us. He tests our faith to reveal the greater truth that He is our Savior. And we know that Mary and Martha knew Him as Savior too, because they expressed their belief that Lazarus would rise on the last day. But even with the hope of eternity, they wanted their prayers answered now, just like we do. And like us, they probably began to experience doubt.

Doubt is a human emotion and not easily defeated. The good news here though, is that God is a forgiving God and His blood covers all. But in order to live in contentment, without a lot of stress and fear, we have to trust Him. Even when we don’t know the outcome or if the hopes and dreams we’ve worked for will ever come to pass, we need to trust that He really does have the best plan.  

So, as we wait beside the Red Sea, we rest in His grace. Even when things seem as dead and hopeless as a four-day old body in a grave; we must remember what Jesus told Martha: “I Am The Resurrection and the life!” 

Let’s encourage each other and hold onto our hope. Jesus has overcome the world!

   ******************************************************************************

2/19/23

We all have our journeys to follow, and soon I’ll begin another phase of cancer treatment. I’m glad the alternative treatments are not as harsh as traditional programs, but it’s still not something I'm looking forward to. 

I’m thankful the PET scan showed improvement. There was less SUV (standardized uptake value—which indicates size of tumors.) But the best part was there was no metastasis (no spreading to surrounding organs.) My doctor said colon cancer commonly spreads to the liver.

Since the tumors responded well to the recent treatments and chemo drugs (IPT) I will have follow up IPTs every other week for the next 3 months. Also, I will be on a low dose chemo pill for the “in between weeks” and another treatment called SOT therapy (which is something like a cancer vaccine.)

Health is a mysterious and precious thing. Our bodies are amazing healing machines, and yet health (and life) are fragile. We easily take it for granted in our youth and sometimes even in older age. I’m no exception. I enjoyed robust health most of my years, but I also indulged in risky behaviors such as alcohol and recreational drug use. I didn’t struggle with food issues as much as some people do, but over the years I’ve consumed my share of “sinful foods.”

It's interesting to think of certain foods as “sinful.” And please don’t take me wrong when I say this, but we live in a fallen world, and isn’t it just like the enemy to try to kill us with something as beautiful as a cupcake? I'm not saying you are doing something wrong whenever you have dessert, but if you eat a lot of unhealthy foods, you will most likely, eventually, end up sick. Just remember to use moderation, because we have an enemy in this world who wants us sick (or dead.) And while God has the very best plan for us, the enemy has one too.

My husband and I were always health conscious. We didn’t do everything right, but we read the health books and listened to experts, took our supplements and tried to avoid sugar and bad fats etc. I think we enjoyed better health because of those disciplines, but here I am, not exactly a “poster child” of good health, with a diagnosis of stage 4 cancer. I should have seen it coming. My mother died of metastatic colon cancer. I thought it wouldn’t happen to me.

I probably had the original tumor for many years before it bothered me. Occasionally, I felt something in my abdomen, but I thought it was a small hernia due to my job of working with students who have special needs. The work often included heavy lifting and positioning of teenaged students. And since I was inclined to avoid seeing a doctor, I paid no attention to the occasional mild sensation. It wasn’t until quite a few years later (following major stress) that I began to experience the telltale signs of weakness and pain.

So now, as before, I’m reading health books, listening to experts, watching my diet and the truth is—it’s pretty discouraging. If you listen to the “experts” you’ll find many of them disagree. You have your “Plant-based” people who think you shouldn’t eat meat at all, and of course “Keto” is almost the opposite extreme. I think the only thing both sides agree on is to eat plenty of vegetables. It is important to eat some raw fruit or vegetables every day because we need the living enzymes that are present in raw foods. The trouble is, most of us would rather eat the SAD diet (Standard American Diet) which consists of processed foods full of bad fats, lots of sugar, preservatives and pesticides.

Probably everyone knows our farmers are being forced into terrible practices by large companies. The result is; we are consuming animals that are inhumanely treated and full of antibiotics. Our crops are grown on depleted soils and sprayed with poisons. It's best to buy organic if you can, and eat food that is as close to the way God designed it as often as possible.

For me, right now, I’m on a type of keto diet (because sugar and carbs feed cancer.) Keto has been all the rage in the past few years. It truly works for weight loss, but of course, in my case, the goal was not to lose weight but to starve out the cancer.

I don’t like what I see in the mirror. I’ve lost so much weight it’s frightening to me. (I'm down to about 95 lbs.) A few well-meaning friends have said they wished they had the problem of needing to gain weight. What they don’t realize is that I too could have fun eating pizza and ice cream. But I have to help my immune system get stronger by avoiding harmful things. 

I got discouraged with myself at Christmastime because I went off of my diet. It’s been difficult to avoid bread and potatoes and many of my favorite foods. I made Christmas cookies with my grandkids. It started out with the cookies, and then I proceeded to blow my diet all the way around. Unfortunately, my PET scan was scheduled right after the holidays. I felt like kicking myself because otherwise, I might have gotten better results from the scan.

But then, I think God showed me something. There wasn’t any point in beating myself up. The fact is—I have only so much control. Sure, He expects us to use the good sense He gave us and the knowledge He has provided, but ultimately, only He can heal me. The life and welfare of each of us lies in His hands.

So, I’ll be starting a new (but thankfully less intense) program soon. I hope to keep posting and I hope you’ll stayed tuned for more health tips, blips, mishaps, and more importantly, my journey into total dependence on God. He is the author and finisher of our life and faith, and (Hallelujah) He has overcome this world!

   ******************************************************************************

Dandelions

A fist full

of wildflowers

Gathered. hand chosen

Each one representing doubt or

decision,

reaching out

  To pluck one more

  Unspoken meaning carried in  each bent stem

 Extended in uncertainty

The sweaty palm unclenches, releases 

Here

This is my frailty, all bunched up and a little squashed

Most of the fuzzy wishes already blown off the top and

Airborne.

But this is my gift

Taken from God’s precious bounty

Twisted

By my perspective

And offered to

You

And if there are any

Wishes left

They’re

Yours                           

                                                                                                     AMWhitt

        A Return

      to a reluctant,

       but

 Beautiful Road

            Many friends and family walked with me in the recent past during my battle with colon cancer. It began back in 2019, just about the same time things got serious with COVID. I had surgery and chemotherapy and I recorded many of my experiences here in this blog during that time.

                It’s now been over 2 years since I completed the chemotherapy.  I assumed I was done and thought cancer was behind me. However, as of this past August I’ve now had a recurrence.

                I’ve been wrestling with whether or not to write more blogs about cancer. I didn’t want to write just because I have it again. I should have been writing anyway. Not just because of my health, but because I had believed myself to be a writer. So, as I begin again, It is my hope I will have some insights to share, and more importantly, the Love of The Father who has already brought me so very far. I know He will never leave me or forsake me. And He will never leave you either. So please join me on this grand adventure! I call it an adventure, because it truly is.

Hope For Our Schools And This World

In reaction to yet another shooting, our local schools have announced that no backpacks will be allowed on campuses for the remainder of the school year.  Law enforcement officers will be stationed in all schools, and everyone is on high safety alert.

These are trying times for all of us. Even if you are a follower of Jesus Christ you might begin to wonder why and how such terrible things could be happening in our schools and in this world. Is there any hope that things can get better? And how  can we feel safe when it seems that everything is out of control? There is no easy answer, but there is hope.  

First, its important to remember that life in this world is temporary for all of us. And although it isn’t Hell, it isn’t Heaven either. The presence of God is here in the goodness of life and love myriad blessings. But there is also an increasingly active presence of evil.  And because people are turning away from God, we are becoming more open to sin and its destructive path. God does not cause the evil in this world, but He does allow the natural consequences of sin to play itself out.

That’s the bad news. But here is the good news: God has complete power and control over everything!  But you might wonder why He doesn’t simply step in and stop all the things that are happening—and  the truth is that He will do just that at the appointed time. (But no person knows exactly when that is.) The important thing to focus on, is that He will step into your life at the exact moment you ask Him to.  And He will begin a work in you—that you will actually be glad for.  And you don’t have to change yourself first, just come as you are. You really have nothing to lose, but everything to gain.     

He is your shield and your mighty strong tower!  You can ask him to protect you and your loved ones! And by trusting in Him you can live under His protection, AND you can look forward to an eternity without fear, pain or sorrow.  Seek Him, and become someone who will help to bring light into this darkening world!

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you”
Matthew 7:7

 “You are the light of the world... let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  Matthew 5:14

"What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee." Psalm 56:3 

"Trust in The Lord with all of your heart" Prov.3:5

Please send any questions or comments on feild area above.

Also please contact me if you would like to know more about trusting Christ as your Savior. (Use form below or send email.)

The Forever King!

   Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the final 7 days of Christ’s earthly ministry. Riding on a donkey’s colt, Jesus began His triumphal journey at the Mount of Olives. 

   Luke 19:29-40 tells us the colt He sat upon had never been ridden before. Most colts have to be trained before they will tolerate a rider. I wonder, though Luke doesn’t tell us, did the colt have some sense that his burden was The Light of the world?

   And what a unique parade it was as the disciples and crowds of people threw down their cloaks and branches of palm to honor Him! Most Kings would enter a city with much more pomp and regalia; but in the same manner our Savior entered the world humbly in a stable at His birth, His splendor was also hidden when He entered Jerusalem as Messiah and King.

     The Pharisees who were in the crowd asked Jesus to silence the praises of the disciples. But Jesus answered them by saying: “if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” What a spectacle that would have been if the rocks began to praise Him! We know God can do anything and if He led Moses to bring water from a rock in the desert, He could easily give voices to stones. But I believe Jesus was actually referring to the Law which is written on stone. I believe He was stating that even if no one saw Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, The Law itself (The Ten Commandments) would proclaim who He is! He is the only One who could fulfill the law! He is the only One who lived a sinless life! And He is the ONLY ONE who could be the perfect, Holy sacrifice to pay the terrible sin debt owed by you and me!

      That’s why we rejoice at Easter because He is Risen! He paid for our sins at the cross and defeated death by His own death, burial and resurrection! He lives forever and He is coming back for us!  But this time when He comes again to the Mount of Olives, His glory will not be hidden. Every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that He is LORD!

Happy Easter Everyone!

Luke 19:29-40

Matthew 11:4-11

Roman 14:11

  ___________________________________

    January 1, 2018

It's A Brand    New Year!

             And many of us are wondering—what will this new year hold? Will it simply be more of the same from last year—or, might it be a new adventure just waiting to unfold?

Perhaps you’ve laid some groundwork. Maybe you saved up a little cash, or started a new job or began a new relationship or moved to a new location. Or, maybe you’re starting off in exactly the same place and state of mind you remained in throughout 2017.  It doesn’t really matter where you’ve been or even where you’ve set your heart on going…until you have placed those hopes for a great new beginning in “His” hands.

God is the creator of all things, and the One who created you also implanted your heart’s desire. He gave you your talents, strengths and abilities and gave you the potential to do and be all that He has created you to be. He doesn’t make it easy (I’m still learning that) but with an attitude of trust and the willingness to try—comes the possibility of great change.

¹⁹ Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.        

Isaiah 43:19

Change can be scary, but change could also be wonderful! It could mean seeing dreams come true or seeing yourself or loved ones increase in strength and character or producing in ways you never thought were possible!

Maybe it’s time to look past our problems and try to see what new thing God has for us. Invite Him into those places you may have kept Him away from in the past. Lay out your plans and your fears before Him, and then allow Him to direct the way!

“I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” Psalm 32:8

                       Happy New Year! 2018

A Tree Chosen And Carefully Planted

     Learning to completely rely on The Lord is a lifelong process, but I have found the more I trust Him, the more He blesses me and brings about His will for my life. A tree planted by the waters is a tree that is chosen and loved and carefully planted right where our Creator wants us to be. When you are “planted” in Him, you’ll be solid and full of life and wisdom. You will be strong and not “wither” even when things get tough. You will bear fruit to help others—even later in life. So don’t give up and think you are too old (or too young) because sometimes that’s when we produce the best fruit of all!