Okay ladies and gentlemen, gear yourself up for this one. Because I am so slack when it comes to blogging I have lots of fun, crazy, interesting and praiseworthy things to update you on! Not to mention lots of fun photo’s to keep you entertained. We are actually going to start with the newest events and work towards the older ones from the past couple of weeks. Why, you ask? Well not because I want to try to be witty or cool but simply because there is a process to blogging here in China that out smarts me every time. So, when I uploaded my photos which is step 1 I forgot I had to upload the newest ones first to make them last on my blog. In other words, it’s backwards. After the hours it took just to get the photos up I decided to try something a little different. For those of you who enjoy particular order I apologize in advance! So lets begin shall we…

Christmas in the classroom...

What better place to begin then with some of my adorable students!? Since the beginning of December I have been teaching my students Christmas Carols/songs leading up to this week. This has been a great way to get them to loosen up and be a little silly. I have really enjoyed being able to laugh with them and show them a less strict side of myself and of the classroom. This week I brought my guitar with me and taught them all Joy to the world. Sharing with them the story of a King who was born in a lowly manger. What was crazy was when I finally got this chance it was like this secret that had been welling up inside me bursting to come out. It was great just to share His joy in His story. At the end of class I gave the students paper to make a Christmas card anyone they would like. Over all I would say it was a successful month of teaching!

How sweet is he! Working on their Christmas Cards.



Gingerbread extravaganza...

Last night the girls and I got together for some pre Christmas fun! With some fabulous goodies that arrived via some awesome Mom’s back in the states we made a gingerbread village, drank hot chocolate, ate some peppermint kisses and listened to some festive Christmas music.

Thanks Mom for the hot Chocolate which made this picture/smile possible! :)

My Peppermint creation...I have to say when I heard gingerbread houses I was extremely hesitant because my track record is a little rocky when attempting gingerbread architecture. However for people like myself this mini village version was awesome! They were the perfect size. Although its hard to believe from this picture, my house really was a MESS in the beginning and I'm pretty sure I finished with more icing on me than on the house but the peppermint covered it well and I was pretty proud of my finished product.


Our finished product!

This week has been more difficult than I expected being away from home. At random points it will just hit me and I’ll tear up but after doing some fun activities it started to feel more like Christmas. It was just what I needed to cure the homesick blues! I am missing home and the traditions of the holidays but I am so grateful for the opportunity I have here and the wonderful people He's placed in my life, near and far!

The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is to sing loud for all to hear...

Last weekend we spent our Saturday evening out on the square with between 250-300 high school students singing Christmas carols! It was a blast. It was too complicated to try to explain to my students because their English is so limited but it was great to see the students that came from Leslie and Camille’s school (#1 high school) and Paul and Erin’s school (#3 high school). We honestly had no clue if any students would actually show up and weren’t really sure of a game plan until about five minutes before we arrived. It turned out to be a blast! It was so cool seeing so many students eager to hang out with the foreigners and sing some Christmas songs. Because this is not something that normally happens in the middle of downtown (singing in English/forefingers gathered for all to see) we drew quite a crowd around us. After we sang through the songs we knew the photo ops began and turned into a full on out photo shoot for most of us. Don’t worry we had prepared mentally for this ahead of time and were ready with our best smiles!

These last two pictures were of our favorite Waffle man in town! We went and ate dinner with him after caroling to warm up and eat something good! He is so funny and loves it whenever we come by, considering he sees us often because we love these things! My favorites are chocolate and banana.
Oh the weather outside is frightful..

Whats better when its cold outside then something warm to eat?! A couple weeks ago we had a chance to go out to eat with some of the English teachers at one of the top primary schools in town. Our friend John Randall and his family are here in Huangshi (they just so happen to be the way Dad got me here to begin with!) and he is a teacher at the school. We ate at a really good hot pot restaurant. It was so good to hang out with these sweet teachers and new friends!

The way hot pot works: You sit down at a big round table with a rotating top, they place all the food;ie. meat, veggies and carbs on the table and you choose what you want to cook in your own individual pot of boiling broth. I guess you could compare it to a dinner fondue, like at the melting pot. Its super delicious but takes some getting used to. Figuring out how long to cook what and when.. lets just say I got to wrong more than I got it right the first time but it was fun and yummy!

Making Mexican Happen in China...

Last but not least of the photos is of a girl night we had two weekends ago. We decided we were going to make Mexican food happen and it was delicious!! We made chicken nachos, with Velveeta salsa dip(from stateside), black beans, and fresh salsa it was amazing!

Hilarious story about the chicken for this meal... You see in China as in most other places outside of the West does meat a little differently. I volunteered to go with our sweet Chinese sister Dawn to get the meat, little did I know what I was in for. We waited until the night of, so I knew we couldnt get frozen chicken because it would take forever to thaw. So I tell Dawn we need to get fresh chicken, she politely says "okay, lets go, I'll help you!" like she always does and we take off. I knew we'd be heading towards the meat market because it is a common stop for the people in town on their way home to make dinner. I pass by it often cutting through the streets from my house to downtown and you can smell it a mile away. That was enough to keep me away until this point. I knew I needed to go and help but was not necessarily looking forward to the experience. Mainly because the market is known for selling dog meat. :( We arrive at our destination but I realized Dawn wasn't going in, so I thought, okay well she knows what shes doing I'll follow her. The next thing I know she stops in front of some cages with live chickens staring and clucking at me.. yep. Her exact words being TOTALLY serious were "you want fresh chicken right?" Oh goodness. I can not begin to tell you how I proceeded to explain to Dawn I did not want to know my dinner while it was still alive nor see them kill it and was determined there had to be another way. She laughed at me and I asked her if we could find it already off the bone. Thats when we walked into the actual meat market. Gross. The smell is enough to knock you off your feet if you're not ready for it and the meats literally just hanging out. But you know when in China... Dawn proceeded to go to every vendor making sure she got the best deal/chicken in the place while I was just wishing she would grab anything so I could get out! haha. The whole thing was hilarious and so true of the cultural differences!

Spring Festival..
Some more exciting news on the fore front is that I will be starting my break for China's spring festival on January 3! This is a month that the students and teachers have off to celebrate the coming season and spend time with all of their family. The reason this is so exciting for me is because this means I have a month to explore Asia! I will be gone for almost three weeks stopping in Southern China, Vietnam and Thailand. This is such an awesome opportunity to travel and see new places and new things along with staying focused on pouring out and proclaiming His love over this side of the world!
As you are getting all the preparations ready for Christmas I am prying that you would be filled with a peace and a joy in the understanding of just how faithful He is. This season has taken on a new meaning for me here and its something I will never forget.

Christmas time is here..

Well, I’m a little slack in the area of blogging it seems!! Everyone else around me has updated so I feel like it’s my turn. Things are going well. The temperature dropped drastically in a matter of 24 hours, like literally from being in the 70’s to the upper 30’s overnight! Needless to say I was not prepared mentally or physically for that one. But don’t worry China has many remedies for my problems. First off hot water is the cure and answer to all of your problems, your cold, drink some, your sick, it will heal you, your hoping to get pregnant (which I’m obviously not), it will help you. Its obviously healthier for your body and your mind because if you drink something cold especially being a woman they all look at you like you’re crazy. Also, I now wear on average three layers of clothing before stepping outside my bedroom door, why you ask? This would be because those wonderful, beautiful windows I have enjoyed so much because of their natural lighting are actually awful for insulating warmth. So when I step outside my bedroom there is a 30-degree sting waiting to greet me. I won’t even get into the fact that my shower is literally walls of windows… yep you can only imagine. If I’ve ever not been motivated to bath before, now its even worse. I almost feel as if I’m camping sometimes, but PTL I at least have some kind of heat in my bedroom and living room. I would have no hopes of surviving without it. South Carolina has thinned my blood and ruined me for the cold weather, so I have been challenging myself to toughen up as my dad would say and dare to wear less layers to try and thicken my skin a little before it gets worse! You don’t realize how much you take advantage of buildings with central heating systems. It’s the “small” things like that I never think about until they suddenly do not exist. Even through this experience I’m learning so much and attempting to rewire my perception of the little things I’ve always taken for granted.

BUT with winter comes December which means Christmas decor and classic holiday tunes to set the mood!

I spent the weekend having all sorts of Christmas fun! Going to the “flea market” and hunting down all sorts of goodies to decorate my silver Christmas tree with(as you can see above, I was successful!). I had my holiday music of choice for the moment being, the new Michael Buble CD and the ever classic Nat King Cole, blazing from my computer helping to get the festive juices flowing! I am still in the process of getting all the decorations I have envisioned in my mind up, which is typically the case, but I’ve enjoyed making my apartment feel more like home. I think the idea of being separated from my family and friends this holiday season is really stating to sink in, and yes sometimes I break down (also not surprising I know) but I am so grateful for my sweet China family and our plans to have a Christmas eve dinner/service/sleepover fun! I feel like I am being opened up to the real meaning behind Christmas more than ever before. His love and His truth during this advent season has been sinking deeper into a new place inside of me. Learning how to sit and recognize the constant He is in my life, no matter where I am, no matter what I’m going through, no matter what life has looked like, He is ever present, the sturdiness that has carried me through. The joy in a child being born, a baby, a king who represents the coming of freedom, of new beginnings, rewriting the mistakes that had left us stained, giving us hope and new life. Coming as a baby, living a sinless life, dying on the cross and defeating the grave, knowing He comes to us today through the comforter and He will come again. To serve and be apart of His incredible plan is a blessing and exciting in real ways. To know right where He has each of us, He is positioning us with opportunities, lessons, and grace to bring Him glory and to represent the Kingdom. I have been reflecting lately a lot more on the weight of what this carries. Understanding that He doesn’t just want out lip service but more than that our life service, out actions, our ability to just do because we can. I have seen the fruit of this more so in my life here because without Him I am short tempered and closed off. I can talk a good game but when it comes down to it without relying on Him I am instantly reminded that I am weak in my own strength, feeling discouraged in classes and my ability to build relationships. But when I am empowered through His word and His spirit, I am overflowing with an understanding and a grace that extends beyond myself and am able to see Him moving, to become more aware that all eyes are on me, I mean this literally. I am a foreigner, an outsider, I look different and its obvious I don’t “belong” and most people in my small town don’t know what to do with themselves when they see me, so they stare. I am constantly on display, especially with my students, who watch my every move. What a wake up call. If I am not centered in Him I can get on my soapbox and end up extremely frustrated by the end of the day, not wanting to love or invest in anyone, not the fruit I would hope to produce. Actions matter, they speak more than our words ever can, my students may not be able to understand my words, but they understand my actions, my body language, my reactions, these things speak loud and clear. This revelation has made me wonder what message am I sending? If someone were to look at my life, my actions, my character, never talking to me what would they see? I would only hope His image would project. But JC was radical, He shifted atmospheres so much that when He walked into the room the darkness had to leave, and He is alive and living in me. I hope to grow more in this truth, trusting and believing that with Him the unimaginable is imaginable, the crazy occurrences become normal and the power of His kingdom becomes fully alive. I can not express the ways I have found hope and joy in who He is. For such a time as this. I am continually amazed by His presence and His power.

I have begun to teach the first part of my Christmas lesson. I am starting with simple Christmas traditions and sharing pictures of past Christmas’ in my home. It is a blessing to share with them the joy of my family and our traditions, along with some of my favorite Christmas Carols. This week I am working on The 12 days of Christmas, okay so, its not my favorite but its hilarious to see them so dramatic. By the time we get through the seventh day I can hear them breathing hard and begging me “Teacher I can not go on, its going to kill me, I can not breath.” But by the time they accomplish all twelve they clap for themselves and they all cheer. I have a feeling I’m never going to want to hear the song again for many years after this but its entertaining right now. My next lesson with them will be to share the Christmas story, the real meaning behind why we celebrate. I am most excited about this, a chance to share my heart and my passion with so many students will be incredible. And of coarse there will be fun activities and little gifts from their wonderful teacher (that would be me). :)

An update on the teacher friend I talked about in the last blog: I have had a chance to get to know her and am learning so much about her life and her heart. I am excited as the relationship builds to share more with her who I am and who He is. She is so open to allowing me to be myself. I’m hoping to start going for walks with her and just getting to know her more. She shared with me this past week about her family and the pressures of being a teacher at our school. Dad used her to speak encouragement into me when I needed it most, sharing that she admired my life, my joy and my ability to be outgoing and to love and care for the people around me. Just sharing with me that she appreciates me in her life. I was so humbled in that moment, and grateful, finding his peace and love in the most unexpected ways. I hope with all my heart someday she will fully understand the life I’ve found in Him. Knowing its not me but who lives in me.

I guess that is all for now! Please be prying for me as I begin to really work hard to learn the language beyond the functional level. I want so passionately to communicate with them but I can be easily discouraged and feel overwhelmed! I promise to attempt to get back on top of my blogging game again. I love you all so much and am prying that you would be blessed beyond measure and growing in His abundant love. Please don’t forget my email is always open!! I love being updated on your lives and also to know specifically what I can be prying for!

I will leave you with some great/fun/laughable/terrifying yet real life China facts:

-The coined phrase for my students who love to be dramatic is “Oh my Lady Gaga”

-There is no concept of personal space so when people stare they are not afraid of being all up in your face with eyes that look like they may pop out. These reactions still make me laugh every time.

-Children go to the bathroom wherever is most convenient, public sinks inside restaurants included.

-Cheese hardly exists here

- -street food/venders is a way of life- what I like to call the “fastest” food in China

- I say “hello” about 150 times on a daily basis

-People are super hospitable and instantly except you as apart of their family

-People really do eat dog L (you can imagine MY horror!!!!)

-He is moving in some AWESOME ways!!

Also a shout out to my boy Kevin (blue arm;)) who had a birthday last week! We celebrated with some sushi and numerous yummy desserts.. this was my first China sushi experience and it was wonderful!

I am thankful for...

Okay, so its been a little while since I have given a solid update on the happenings in and around me. Things on this side of the world are sunny today surrounded by sounds of children playing and people gather. Saturday afternoons, after students are out of school begins their one and a half day weekend (for most of them anyway). Things have been going well. My weeks are pretty relaxed outside of teaching and tutoring. Honestly, I’m so blessed. Yes, there are the everyday in’s and out’s of being here but I am working a great job financially (on China's standards) and not having to pay for any of my housing. I have a lot of free time to explore, to write, to read, to play and to spend with friends. I am learning so much about who I am and who He is.

I began my Thanksgiving Day lesson for the first half of my second year students (7^th grade) this past week and the reality of being “away” for the holidays hit me. A case of homesickness hit pretty quickly. Its hard being away from friends, family and tradition during this time of year. But that’s when Dad brought me to a place of realizing that if I weren’t here, then I would not have a chance to be apart of sharing the truth behind Thanksgiving, Christmas and eventually Easter with almost 1,000 Children. Changing my perspective I realized that I have an opportunity to share the story of the good news with my students and their teachers and that’s what I’m trying to cling to during this time of missing home. Something totally to rejoice in!

Also, this week while I was teaching the Thanksgiving Day story, a teacher who was in the classroom with me started asking me about different American holidays. We talked through thanksgiving, birthdays, Christmas and then she looked at me and point blank asked “I know all the others but why do you celebrate Easter?” I had a chance to share from the Christmas story through Easter, explaining to her who JC was and what it means for us who celebrate today. It really was one of the most incredible moments I’ve had since I’ve been here because it was so unexpected. You spend so much time just being you and kind of trying to dance around things to drop little seeds where you can but having someone just bluntly ask you about it doesn’t typically happen. But when is He typical? Right, I know. I left that class and came home and literally danced around my apartment because I was so excited. It was like finding treasure. Then later this week she was helping in another class and started asking me more questions… this time all about JC and who He really was and why He had to die. I had a chance to share my story with her and how I know He’s real and who He is through what He’s done in my life and for those around me. Then she opened up about her life and questions she was having. She literally told me she was thinking and seeking something greater to hold on to because she feels that it will help her to be strong when she is weak and will give her hope. I told her I was more than willing to answer any questions she had and would love to go to lunch with her sometime next week to talk and to learn from one another. I can only pry that this unexpected gift would continue to develop and grow with time. She is hesitant to move quickly in her decisions for faith but I can tell she is curious. So please, pry with me that Dad would lift the veil and make Himself known to her.

From this I realized just how much of a gift it is to speak His name publicly, to share about Him, to speak truth. I was so overwhelmed by how much you can take even the simple conversations for granted until this experience. Just saying His name filled me with such an unremarkable joy.

Last but not least I wanted to share with all of you what I have to be thankful for in light of the coming holiday.

I love you all so much and you’re continual love and support astound me and make me realize that I am not alone(those of you near and far).

I am thankful for a perpetual love

The hope that’s whispered and always present

The forgiveness found in the sacrifice

I am thankful for the bizarre in life, the unpredictable circumstances

For the guidance of the comforter

The revelation of the cross

For the fact that I am never alone

For a family who has helped make my dreams come true, making the impossible possible. Seeing me through each season of my life and never giving up on me, always believing in me. My family who makes me laugh and makes me mad and everything in between, taking the good with the bad but always hanging on.

For friends who have showed me the truth in this life, who have taught me what it is to love and to be loved. Who have formed deep bonds rooted in joy and hope, always pushing and encouraging me (even from around the world). For Laughing with me and yes, at me, through all of the learning experiences and comforting me in my sorrow and my weakness. Just for being there to talk to and catch up with.

For a body that is strong. A body that perseveres and fights for truth, who prys without ceasing and builds each other up in Him. A body all around the world that is pursuing the kingdom and all that, that looks like.

My team of unique, wonderful people who are here, pushing me, challenging me and pouring into my life. For your realness in who you are and whats going on, for all the we’re in China moments, for your constant love and for your passionate hearts to see His kingdom come.

For my students and my chance to live and dwell with the faces around me that are right now, home. For China and who I see for Him to be in this place. For all their crazy ideas of medicine that just make me laugh and for the friends I have found that take good care of me. For my students who although are unhinged at times, just smile and offer a gift or a conversation that makes it all worth it. For an opportunity to live this season of my life where I have time and space to grow, learn and become more alive in Him.

Middle School

Just a few things that will never change about middle school no matter where you are....

1. Learning curse words(English in my case) and using them in the foreign teachers classroom like she wont know what they are, is still really "cool"

2. Boys fist fight, even in the middle of class, over who knows what, then the next day the same two boys are buying each other snacks and being chummy. (apparently boys really do just need to fight it out then move on)

3. The boys are always more important than the teacher according to the young ladies who sit in the back of the room with their heads turned so nonchalantly giggling at the boys behind them.

4. Students find it funny to disagree with the teacher even when they have no clue what they're saying.

Last but not least

5. There is gossip that just cant wait, passing notes or even sometimes throwing them across the room in the form of a paper wad or airplane surely wont be seen by the teacher who has two good eyes standing in front of them.

With this being said, most days I really do love them... but they have their days, or weeks which remind me of why I hated middle school when I was in it! :)
2 days of exams for them, mean my weekend starts NOW!
Taking a break from Middle School never felt so good.
Wuhan bound for fellowship and fun with some great friends.
Promise to update again soon!

Once upon a time, in a far away land, there was a Princess who was sent out from her home to go into a distant part of her Fathers kingdom to remind His people that He has not forgotten them. Although jumping on an airplane was a little intimidating at first, she would soon realize that was not the hard part. Getting there was only the beginning. When she arrived, everything looked different, smelt different, tasted different, and she realized very quickly she had a lot to learn. This is the story of her journey.

For two months she has lived in this land, where she has been pushed to her limits in ways she never imagined. The dream of the mission seemed to become clouded by the reality of what was happening. She has found that not many, even understand Her Fathers kingdom that is at hand. And that the war that is waging is clearly much more than she has ever faced before, surrounded by a people who gage their lives by success and money, where happiness is a forced assumption and competition is high. Teaching students who at the least spend 2-3 hours on homework a night when they do not get out of class until 7.

Adjusting has taken time but seems to be progressing as she has been spending as much time as she can declare the promises her Father has given her and His people. Sitting and talking with Him, asking Him to guide her and fill her with His wisdom, to know what actions to take, when to speak and how to stay focused. He has shown her many things. Opening her eyes to who He is inside of her and proving to be ever so faithful in His Truth.

The princess’ secret assignment was to go in as a teacher, to be welcomed where many would not have opened their arms otherwise and to carry with her the Truth of who her Father and His son are. Teaching has proven to be interesting. Some days her students love her and understand her, others it is like there is a pack of wild animals in the room who have no clue she even exists. Despite their typical middle school ways, her heart for them is growing more and more. A passion to see and find their creativity and to give them a choice and a voice in what they like and want to do. She has found that they almost always wish to understand her, but are afraid to make mistakes and sometimes you just have to let it go and move on.

She has been approached with some great opportunities to tutor students one on one. This is where she has been able to really invest. Sitting and speaking with them. Training for an exam or just learning to learn. There has been something unique and different with each one.

Lately she has been in a darker place. Fighting just to keep her head up and push on. Feeling inadequate and insecure, giving the enemy too much credit. Then one day she called on her Father and begged him to send her home, she had enough of the culture the shock of living on her own, finding a mouse in the kitchen, being starred at constantly, never finding a quite moment and bumping into someone everywhere she went. Very sweetly her Father reminded her of His purpose. He spoke to her of His heart for this place and asked her to keep her faith in Him, to trust that He knew what He was doing when He sent her, that He is with her and also reminded her that He had sent her with a team, people to love her and understand her. The princess felt new again and soon realized the more she spoke to her Father the more she began to see things through His eyes. The days started to get better and the light that He had given her started to bring comfort in the darkness.

Then one day she received a gift. A young girl, a student who she tutored came to her home for a normal session. The princess had gotten close to this girl in particular because she reminded her of herself. She was repressed of all emotion, sad and feeling like she didn’t have a voice, that she was invisible. Through their sessions the princess learned of her students love for music and creativity. Her passion for reading articles that were inspirational and leading towards the Father. The day before their last time together as teacher and student the student said she did some research on C.S. Lewis and really loved his movies. The princess could feel her heart about to beat out of her chest with joy because she too loved C.S. Lewis and the Chronicles of Narnia, because these books had changed her life before she knew fully what they meant. The princess shared with her student the meanings of the books and how they changed her life. She shared how in Narnia there was a sense of adventure and hope that was worth fighting for. That there was a King who had been sacrificed for His people so that they could be victorious.

The next day the student returned for their last session together before the student would leave to go to training for her big exam. The student was feeling sick that day but came anyway to talk and say goodbye. They read a passage out of a C.S. Lewis’ meditations book about hope. Then they talked about a hope that is real and what that looks like and what she thought of it. She continued to share with the princess how when they read C.S. Lewis his words spoke to her heart and it was like she could feel the sun on her face warming her. The princess felt Dad so real in that moment. She shared with her student her Fathers heart for healing and asked if she could talk with Him for her. Her student agreed. After they spoke with her Father, the student wrapped her arms around the princess and told her she loved her and thanked Dad that she met her.

After her student left the princess sat in awe. Crying tears of joy and asking her Father, knowing His heart for her student, that she would come to know Him and that she someday too would be a princess in the Kingdom. That day the princess knew even if only for this one girl, it was and will be completely worth anything else that has come or will come her way. She understood her Fathers heart.

The best part is, this is a non-fiction story. :)

I wanted to share this story I wrote, with all of you, to remind you that even in the mundane, routine of everyday, you are making a difference when you live for Him. There is hope and there is someone watching. This single event changed my perspective. If only for the one, if only for a few, if you only see the seed being planted, it is something to rejoice over. I pry that the seeds that are being planted all over the world would raise up a new hope and a new passion for His kingdom. That Dad would send more to water and that He would harvest the work that has already been done and that is being done each day. Sometimes it just takes us sitting back and opening our eyes to see the opportunity around us, the light we carry within us. Reality is still real, everyday life is still real but it’s the small things within that that makes us who we are in Him.

Although my classes have been a mess and a half this week, I genuinely have moments where I would not trade my job for anything. My goal is to be a light to my students to allow them to express themselves and see their creativity and personality come into what they do. There are definitely days where I want to just walk out because I feel like if I yell any more my vocal chords will never work again but even on those days I know there is a reason.

For those of you who didn’t see on facebook, I was recruited to play volleyball for the school against school, teacher tournament, which happens to take place this weekend. We have been practicing for the past two weeks and we could totally be worse, but I guess that means we could also be better. Ha. It has been a great experience for me. I am learning more Chinese and they have really welcomed me as a part of their team. Apparently I am known as their “secret weapon” and am the first foreigner ever allowed to compete in the tournament. I am a little rusty but after practicing I’m holding my own. J I am seeing my competitive nature come out in full swing.

I will update you all with the news on how we do ( I’m not banking on W’s across the board but that doesn’t mean I’m not playing for them).

A few fun facts:

In China you have to buy your bags from the grocery store so if you do not bring any with you, you pay for them. Whats crazy is I always bring my own bags and I have to walk to and from the store. And in the States I never would have thought to bring any bags at all because I didn’t “have” to.

The Chinese words for America stand for “beautiful country”.

Everyone here dresses for the season not the actual weather.

That’s the update for now. Don’t forget my email is always open. Love you all!

( I was trying to upload pictures but it was taking way too long and I am limited on time tonight! )

Chelsie Leigh

“Why are you cast down O, my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in Him. Praise Him. Remember His works. Deep calls out to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; your breakers and waves have gone over me. By day he commands His steadfast love, and at night His song is within me. Why are you downcast. O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in Him. I shall again praise Him. My delieverer.

Culture shock- the feeling of disorientation experienced by someone who is suddenly subjected to an unfamiliar culture, way of life, or set of attitudes.

Disorient- make someone lose their sense of direction

Make someone feel confused

“Do not swerve to the left or the right..” Prov. 4:27

It has been six weeks already! Sometimes that feels unreal and other times I would swear its been longer. The newness is wearing and now I’m trying to figure out what my focus is and how I will spend my time. This past week was my most challenging week yet. Through a serious of random events it seemed my culture shock was heightened and I was feeling very weary. It was a one thing after another kind of week. I was feeling beat up and tossed around. The worst thing is my attitude was affected the most. I found myself not wanting to leave my house and if I did, not wanting to take time to speak with anyone. It was like anything that could drive me crazy about being here was multiplied by ten. Culture shock is a typical reaction when you’re living in a foreign place especially one that is so different to who you are personally. I started questioning everything, wondering what in the world I was doing and why I was doing it. Thinking, “Dad if you’ve really placed me here I could use some serious help right about now.” That’s when I realized how distracted I had become. I was so focused on the negative things I was allowing myself to lose my sense of direction. Thankfully this week we had off school to celebrate China’s National day. Some friends came in from Wuhan for a couple days, through them and my other teammates here I was able to open up and just be real about what was going on. Having an outside perspective and some time with a group of “outsiders” was exactly what I needed. Sunday night we all just hung out and went to a great little restaurant that has some of our favorite foods. Monday we got up and went to what we like to call our “flea market”, its this really cool part of town where there are just rows and rows of little shops where you can find pretty much anything and you can bargain your price. That afternoon the ladies from Wuhan went and got a massage and then we all got our nails done( one of my favorite adventures, I’m trying to embrace China and making it a point to do crazy patterns each time). Saturday night we ate at our favorite Tea house in town that serves “western style” food and went to KTV. KTV is the equivalent to Chinese Karaoke. It was a blast, literally, you walk into this room that’s all to yourself and the music is so loud you can hardly hear the person next to you but we sang and danced for three hours to their awesome selection of English music. This seemed to be an instant pick me up.

Also this week I had the chance to attend a Chinese wedding… in the words of my teammate Kevin it was the definition of a “gong show”. I felt like I was live at a television game show. There was a host who was loud and full of energy. Lots of Star Wars, Lord of the ring kind of music, giant party poppers, bubble machines, and sparklers. It was honestly unlike anything I have ever seen before. Leslie and Camille came with me (thankfully!!) and we were the star guests. It was probably one of the most laughable moments of my life thus far. We had to make an entrance for the camera woman and mysteriously she kept coming over and awkwardly shoving the camera in our faces throughout the evening and of coarse after we arrived English music started playing over the speakers. There were about 400 people there in this restaurant, they set up all the tables with the aisle down the middle. Throughout their service many important people in their lives give speeches, and they say a few words, the parents come forward and the couple presents them with tea and the parents present them with money. It was different than what I expected but I’m glad I had a chance to see it. After the service we ate and as we were eating the parents, different family members and the couple had to go to each table and toast to their guests( again, a huge part of Chinese culture, this time without the corn juice, I was safe with SpriteJ). After dinner we left and were on our way, grateful for the experience but making “mental notes” that if we ever feel up to going to another wedding again we need to bring ear plugs (and maybe a disguise). My ears rang from how loud the speakers were for the next hour after we left.

With being off this week I have had some time to myself, to lounge and journal and spend some QT with Dad. After feeing beat up this week I realized I cant spend the next 9 months of my life with the attitude I had developed. To focus on anything less than His kingdom. I learned that many times my focus is misdirected. I think if only I can get there or have this or do that then it’ll be okay. But I’m learning that everything outside of the Kingdom is simply a means to an end. A way to get to the finish line. There is nothing I have sought in my life that has ever given me resolve or a feeling of solution. I hold these huge expectations that cannot be met by anything less than Him. I place blame outside myself or question what I heard from the beginning when in reality the end I was focused on was simply meant to be seen as a means. I lost focus of my direction. When my focus is the Kingdom everything else is seen in light of that and I’m able to see with His perception, with His heart. I am grateful and rejoice in the means He has given me but I desire to act on obedience, to “be rewarded with an increasing power to desire the ultimate reward.” –C.S. Lewis

I have an incredible team around me and honestly, I would not make it without them. Their passion and love for the Kingdom is beautiful and their ability to love beyond boundaries brings life to what sometimes feels lifeless.

Thank you for all of your pryers and support throughout these last couple months. The body is something that will always amaze me with how beautiful it really is. No matter where you are or how long you’ve known each other it is a constant love that can only flow from Him. Please just continue to pry that I would find my focus and that I would humble myself to see with His eyes and His heart. That even when its hard I would continue to push on with my focus unwavering. I have no doubt I am right where Dad wants me and as hard and impossible as it feels sometimes I would not trade that for anything. I am still unsure of my purpose here specifically but I can see that He is moving and working in me in crazy ways(even if they are challenging). I am also prying for each of you that your focus would reside on His Kingdom that you would be filled with the comforter and awakened to His heart and His passion. Please keep me updated and let me know if there is anything specifically you need pryer for. My email is always open! :)

One Month Down!

Walk as a child of the light producing fruit that is good and true. Expose the unfruitful works of darkness, for that which is called to the light becomes visible. “Awake , O sleeper and arise from the dead..” Walk with wisdom making the best of your time. Do not be foolish. Understand His will. Be filled with the spirit. Sing and make melody with all your heart. –Ephe. 5

As I was reading this morning I was hit with these words. Overcome by the truth and power they carry. I have officially been in China for a month and honestly it feels like its been much longer. Not in a bad way by any means, just in a busy trying to find a routine and learn how to live in a new place kind of way. There are still days when I have to remind myself that I am actually here and give myself grace while adjusting to the culture.

Last week as many of you know I was pretty sick. I was a walking mess, with a temperature and some type of germ traveling all throughout my body. BUT now I am feeling much better. I spent most of last week in bed, reading, watching Grey’s Anatomy, sleeping, and pumping Vitamin C. I was able to get back to classes on Thursday and Friday then headed to Wuhan with the rest of my Huangshi team to meet up with everyone from Zong Relations. It was so good to spend time getting to know everyone. We were together all day Saturday sharing our personal journeys to China and how we got to where we are today. It was super powerful and encouraging to see who He is in each person individually. We ate some amazing snack food from America, enjoyed Papa Johns Pizza for dinner and I had a blizzard from DQ for dessert. It was awesome to eat some “normal” food. J Sunday we went to foreign fellowship, which was great. To worship and come together with a body of brothers and sisters felt unreal. (There are more foreigners in Wuhan that meet every Sunday) It is incredible how much you can take for granted the things you’ve always had. After fellowship we went to eat at Aloha Diner, which is a restaurant owned by foreigners and the food is amazing! Needless to say I left way full and completely filled.

Teaching is going well. It is a learning experience to say the least. Classroom management takes on a whole new meaning when you have 60 students who can hardly understand you, all talking at once. There are times when I literally will just laugh because there is nothing else I can do. I am learning how to speak to them and gesture so that they understand (not that I didn’t before, but its way over the top now). I am also learning how to have fun and enjoy what I’m doing, thinking of lessons and ways to get them to become more confident with the language. Some classes feel impossible and 40 minutes seems more like 2 hours and others go really well. Its always an adventure to see which classes will be in what category each day. But seeing their faces and being able to encourage them and love them has taken on a new meaning for me. They truly are precious, and they work so hard for their age. Most of them in school 6 days a week if not 7 sometimes until 8 o’clock at night. Yet for the most part they still are excited to see me and have a desire to learn. I of coarse have a soft spot for some of my more challenging (outgoing) students who like attention and have fun getting them on my side.

Being here I am learning that I sometimes can create a need to be constantly distracted. Finding something to do or somewhere to go or something to fix. Not to mention my sleeping has been off this week from being sick and am now trying to get back to normal. I finally sat down with Dad this morning and realized how little I take time just to listen. I am living by myself for the first time ever, throw that in with the combination of it being in a new place where I don’t know anyone or speak the language and its bound to bring out weaknesses. I am learning so much about who He is in my shortcomings. I have always been a survivor, someone who makes up her mind to commit and fights to see it through. China became that for me last week. Mentally I clicked into survival mode. Between being sick, missing home and dealing with the pain that was surfacing inside I shut down my emotion and told myself I would survive. I would do what it took just to get through until I was okay again. Recently I was hit with the reality of how dangerous that can be. I am a fighter and easily China could become just another adventure to mark down, something that looks great on an application, so that I can say “been there done that”. I realized this when I opened the book I am reading called The Journey of Desire by John Eldredge. Its an incredible book which explains the importance of desire, and passion in our pursuit of the kingdom. I realized that if I continue to do what I’ve always done and “survive” I’m not really living. I am just doing what it takes to protect myself and get by. That’s when I recognized that I don’t want to just survive I want to live. If that means it hurts and its hard at times that’s not up to me but at least I’m living. Excepting that I am weak and not strong enough to really live on my own past trying to “survive”. I want to engage Him with an honest passion, actively pursuing who He is. To awaken the parts of my heart that are asleep, the areas of creativity and desires I have pushed away for so long too afraid to take ownership. I want a passion that’s owned not borrowed, one that drives toward a pursuit of divine beauty. I don’t believe this is just for me. So often many of us become apathetic in what we do and how we live because to be passionate means to take risk and to commit not only your time but your heart into something that could hurt. But as John wirtes “ Nothing is more important than the life of our deep heart. To lose heart is to lose everything.” I pry that this is something that would continue to stir in my heart and in my life. I pry that wherever you are, in whatever you are doing that you would be passionately chasing the dreams and desires He has set before you. That we as a body could be authentic, just the way He made us, to know and understand that He came to die, to set us free so that we may live and abide in His fullness, to understand the story of redemption and to awaken the dead places in our hearts. To choose to live and really be alive.

Please be prying for “William” my wiaban and his family. His wife’s cousin died last Friday and it has been really hard for them. They were very close and his wife is struggling the most. I had a chance to speak with him today and I am amazed at how even though he is “crazy” William and can sometimes be a little much, my heart is softening towards him. He truly has seen me as a daughter and even through what he’s experiencing now he still takes the time to care and check up on me.

It was super sunny today(so rare and SUPER exciting!) so I had a chance to take some great pics while I was walking the lake. I will post them soon!! :)

I am having my internet looked at this week and will update again when I can! I am prying that you would be overflowing with His love and His freedom. I know I say this every time but SERIOUS you have no clue how much your emails and messages mean! Miss you and love you all.

chelsieleighpriest@gmail.com

Hey everyone!! So some sad news, my internet has decided it wants to be difficult. :( For some reason my computer is having a hard time with the schools network so I have been and will be out of internet until who knows when. Luckily some of my teammates have internet and I am able to come by their place to check email and jump online! Things are always a little more complicated when you're in a foreign place I suppose. :)
I wanted to at least stop by and give a quick update and share some photos while I was around the net. EVERYTHING has arrived!! My guitar came in this week on Wednesday, along with our last two beautiful teammates to arrive in our city. It is great to have it back with me especially without having the internet I have been playing until my fingers are purple.
So much has happened but there is not enough time or enough blog space to share it all. I started teaching September 1st and have been going since then! It was rough at first I am not even going to lie but as time has passed through out this week things have been getting much smoother! I really do love it. Most of my classes are really sweet and try hard for me.
I went out exploring earlier this week and found behind my house that there is an awesome path around the lakes in the city, with an incredible view of all of the mountains, it leads to this really beautiful Chinese park. It has become my favorite part of my day. Reminds me just how close He really is.
Being here has really opened me up to feeling more vulnerable and exposed than ever before. Dad has been my best friend, my constant, and I am finding that there are many things in my heart that just keep surfacing. Sometimes its hard but I know it is a good pain. :) I have had a chance to share with some exactly why I am here, which was a gift from Him I know. As I was walking today I saw a little boy with his father on their lunch break ( here everyone takes a lunch break in the middle of the day for two or three hours), the father was teaching his son how to use his sling shot. The son looked determined and was totally focused as hard as he could and when he let go the rock went no where but in front of him and to the ground. The boy looked at his father as if to say " I tried!" and his father looked at him and started laughing, he picked the rock up and stood holding the boys hands in place and showing him again encouraging him to keep trying. I realized I am so much like that boy in Dads hands and how often He must just laugh at me pat me on the head and encourage me to keep on trying until I get it just right, never leaving but always pointing me in the right direction. So good to know that He is more than just something in the distance. He is living and with me.
I want to leave you all with a funny story I wrote down last week after I went to my first official Chinese meal. :) I hope you enjoy and find it just as funny as it was!!
I love you all so much and am grateful for your support and love through all of this. I would be nothing without the other members of the body out there lifting me up and supporting me. I miss you all and home often. Please email me with updates on yourselves and things I can be lifting up for you!! chelsieleighpriest@gmail.com
August 27th 2011

I just ate dinner for the first time with William, the school leaders and other teachers. The Chinese culture is all about food and company. At first I was nervous that it would feel weird to be there. But I agreed to go anyway not really knowing exactly what it was. Then when I arrived at the car I found Williams sister and his nephew. His nephew is quite possibly the cutest child ever. He is 11 years old, his English name is Peter and he did he best to speak with me. I kind of felt like he and I were on the same page walking into the dinner, he maybe a step ahead of me. He held my hand on the streets and walked with me into the restaurant. As silly as it seems I was grateful for his company. I have never seen or been apart of so many toasts in my life. Not to mention when I refused the alcohol I was poured corn juice. Yes, corn juice it is exactly what it sounds like. Needless to say my lesson has been learned. I was stuck toasting all night with the chunks of corn just hanging out. It was gross. I made up my mind I was just going to bare through sipping a little with each toast. On the upper hand the food was great. The food is placed on a round rotating table top and is spun through out the meal. You take what you want into your bowl as it goes. It is all about presentation so it looks beautiful. There were a lot of foreign foods to me and since it was my first time I kind of played it safe. Most of what I tried I liked. At one point I had something that was black and looked like a mushroom but was extremely squishy. I had no clue what I had placed in my mouth and just kept going. (only in hina) Through out the meal they drink and talk and toast. Toasting is their way of supporting, encouraging and boasting about others. They do it often. Everyone toasts everyone. It is a huge part of their culture. I was greeted warmly and everyone came to give me a welcome toast. Then at the very end we all stood for one last toast. I had managed to keep my glass pretty full just sipping a little. I thought I has beat the system. Then I heard the dreadful words, “bottoms up”, which I found out means exactly what it says. It is done for the last toast to end the night. Yep, you guessed it I had to down the almost ¾ glass full of corn juice. I am not going to lie I was prying to get it down. So lesson #1 if you don’t like what your drinking make sure you ask for something else because whether you like it or not you will drink it.

Some photo's of my home pre- decor. :) ( there are more to come I just didnt have enough time to add them all! )