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! :)