one month update and randomness

So, this week marks our one month anniversary of China living.  I can hardly believe it!  I am disappointed at the lack of "China News" I have for you tonight.  Our lives have been so consumed with school and adjusting to new routines, that we haven't done much China exploring.  BUT, it's coming, no doubt.  :)

Though I haven't learned a whole lot about China, my wonderful Savior is teaching me a whole lot about myself.  Some things I knew, but China just magnified them.  And others... all new to me.


WHAT IS HE TEACHING ME?


HIS STRENGTH, NOT MINE


In all honesty, adjusting and acclomating to this new life has been much harder than I expected.  I've experienced a lot of change in my life before.  Drastic change. I've moved before. I've started new jobs. I've met new people. I've been "on my own" for a while.  I've lived in different states from my family.  And when things have been hard, I've persevered, pushed through it, and always made it out on the other side.  So, here I am, and things are hard.  Harder than expected.  I'm not even sure what's hard to be exact...  just so much change.  Nothing is familiar.  But I am strong.  But some days I don't feel strong.  But maybe that's it...  I'm not strong.  He is strong.  And when I forget that, when I attempt to do things my own way, in my own strength, I become weak.  And sometimes, still...  it's my weakness that reminds me that "the joy of the Lord is my Strength".


What is He teaching me?  "My power is made perfect in your weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9


HIS TIMING, NOT MINE


Well, time management has definitely not been a strength of mine since I've been here.  I was a master at time management in The States.  But here... not even close.  I am realizing how precious and valuable my time and my routines are to me.  I guess they give me some sense of comfort, or control, or sanity at least.  But in China,  I am dependent on public transportation, so I have very little or no control over when or how long it's going to take me to get somewhere, or even how long it's going to take to actually find transportation.  It's very difficult to map out our day and schedule a routine.  Because, really, I have no control.  And just FYI, everything, I mean EVERYTHING, takes longer in China.  And I knew this before coming here.  I've been here.  I've been prepared and warned and informed.  BUT that hasn't made it any easier.


What is He teaching me?  Trust Him and HIS timing.


IT'S NOT ABOUT ME


Regardless of how humble I want to be, I am selfish by nature.  I can name hundreds of things I want, I'd like, I long for.  I can probably name a hundred things I did this week for my own selfish gain.  I can name hundreds of things I would change, just so I can be satisfied.  But at the end of the day, in the midst of my weakness, and my horrible timing, and my selfishness, I ask myself why I am here.  I ask Him why I'm here.  And all I know is, it's not about ME. 


What is He teaching me?  It's not about me.


FROM THE INSIDE OUT
(lyrics from Hillsong United-these words always encourage me)


A thousand times I've failed
Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in your grace


Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame


My heart and my soul, I give You control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise, become my embrace
To love You from the inside out


Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise


Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame


My heart, my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out


Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out


EMILY UPDATES


Emily, on the other hand, is adjusting 100 x better than I expected.  She loves China, loves her school, loves the adventure, and is acclomating very well.  I am so proud of her!


We have had more and more "Rise and Shine" mornings, which I am very grateful for! 


Our apartment is slowly coming together.  We are taking it one room at a time.  We finished Emily's room today, and she absolutely loves it!

 

To be continued...

loving 5 tonight...

Oh,my baby girl is 5!  I just can't fully grasp it.  She's been 5 for a couple of months, but it's just hitting me tonight.  I'm just now slowing down and being still long enough to reflect on the past couple of months.  Where have they gone!?  It's hard to believe that 4 months ago Emily was still 4 and we had no idea we would be moving to China.  And here we are.  Emily asked this morning, "Mommy can you believe we are in China!?"  I said, "I'm not sure I can, can you?"  She said, "Yes, Mommy, I can!"

She gets it.  She understands more than I think she does.  She is soaking up every minute that passes her by.  She ponders every unusual thing she sees.  And she asks every question she has.  She's 5.

Emily is in my kindergarten class, so I get to see a new side of her.  I am learning so much about her and observing all she does, just as I do with all my students.  I get to see her strengths and weaknesses, her joys and frustrations, her creative imagination and her free-spirit.  I get to see all that at home too, but I get to see it so much more in a classroom setting.  Today, I had a 2 hour collaboration meeting, so I was not in the classroom the last 2 hours of the day.  The minute the school day was over, Emily filled me in on what they did, what so-and-so said, what she learned, and the new game she played in P.E.  I feel like I didn't miss a thing.  She's so aware, so grown-up, so... 5.

Emily is learning Chinese much faster than I am!  She is soaking up the language and enjoys the idea of HER teaching ME.  She's so carefree, loves life, and savors every moment.  She's 5.

We have been overwhelmingly busy since we've been here.  It's quite the adjustment from our quiet, country life in The States.  I'm always wondering if this is too much for her...  the "go, go, go and hope we make it to the weekend" lifestyle.  But Emily has been soaking it up.  She loves the adventure.  She loves meeting new people, seeing new places, and trying new things.  She almost gets upset if we are NOT going anywhere after school or if we are not seeing anyone.  BUT, 2 days ago, she asked me if we could just come home after school and watch a movie.  She was ready for a break.  So...  point being, no need to be concerned.  If it's too much, she'll let me know.  She's 5.

Food...  I feel so inadequate when it comes to feeding my little girl.  If you know her well, you know she is a PICKY eater.  She doesn't eat your "normal" kid foods.  She doesn't like macaroni and cheese, or bread, or...  well, you name it, she probably doesn't like it.  So here, in this foreign place, the food is... foreign.  And she doesn't eat much of it.  So it frustrates me that chicken nuggets or ham is the only thing I can send in her lunchbox everyday.  But in all reality, I should be grateful that she is perfectly content with the so simple chicken nuggets and ham (with a side of her favorite:  pickles and olives).  It wouldn't surprise me if she ate this for lunch everyday for our entire stay in China.  After all, it's familiar, and she likes it.  She's 5.

Right now she is peacefully sleeping in her own "big-girl" bed in her own "big-girl" room.  I've been awaiting these nights for about 5 years.  I can't believe she's 5!

Mid-Autumn Festival

The purposes and stories behind Mid-Autumn festival (aka Moon Festival, aka Mooncake Festival) seem to vary from person to person.  So, I'm taking what I've observed, what Chinese nationals have told me, and am gathering some insight from Google to give you the best description I can on this festival.  There has been much excitement, fireworks, and a school holiday for the Chinese nationals due to this festival, so even though I don't fully comprehend everything that's been going on around me, I definitely feel it's blog-worthy.  :)


MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL

China's Mid-Autumn Festival is traditionally celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunisolar month, which is in September or October. The festival is the second most important festival after the Spring Festival to Chinese people. Every year, when the festival comes, people go home from every corner of the country and the world to meet their family and have dinner with them. Celebration of the Mid-Autumn festival has a history of over 3,000 years, dating back to the moon worship in ancient times. The festival is celebrated extensively across the country, and is one of the few reunion holidays for Chinese families.  On that day, Chinese family members stay together, admiring the full moon and eating mooncakes.

(Most of this information was gathered from http://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/festivals/mid-autumn-festival.htm)


THE GIRL ON THE MOON


I have heard and read several different versions about "the girl on the moon".  But the following version comes the closest to the story that was told to me with the most heart behind it.  :)  Enjoy!


Chang'e was a beautiful young girl working in the Jade Emperor's palace in heaven, where immortals, good people and fairies lived. One day, she accidentally broke a precious porcelain jar. Angered, the Jade Emperor banished her to live on earth, where ordinary people lived. She could return to the Heaven, if she contributed a valuable service on earth.
Chang'e was transformed into a member of a rich farming family. When she was 18, a young hunter named Houyi from another village spotted her, now a beautiful young woman. They became friends.
One day, a strange phenomenon occurred—10 suns arose in the sky instead of one, blazing the earth. Houyi, an expert archer, stepped forward to try to save the earth. He successfully shot down nine of the suns, becoming an instant hero. He eventually became king and married Chang'e.


Chang'e-"The Girl on The Moon"










But Houyi grew to become greedy and selfish. He sought immortality by ordering an elixir be created to prolong his life. The elixir in the form of a single pill was almost ready when Chang'e came upon it. She either accidentally or purposely swallowed the pill. This angered King Houyi, who went after his wife. Trying to flee, she jumped out the window of a chamber at the top of the palace—and, instead of falling, she floated into the sky toward the Moon. King Houyi tried unsuccessfully to shoot her down with arrows.

In contrast to the first version, her companion, a rabbit, does not create elixir of life. Aside from the rabbit, the Moon is also inhabited by a woodcutter who tries to cut down the cassia tree, giver of life. But as fast as he cuts into the tree, it heals itself, and he never makes any progress. The Chinese use this image of the cassia tree to explain mortal life on earth—the limbs are constantly being cut away by death, but new buds continually appear.

Meanwhile, King Houyi ascended to the sun and built a palace. So Chang'e and Houyi came to represent the yin and yang, the Moon and the sun. 

MOONCAKES

A mooncake is a special type of pastry that is only available during this season.  Emily and I had the privelege of learning how to make mooncakes with my class today.  It was lots of fun!  There are many different flavors, and since I'm not quite an expert on reading Chinese yet, I never knew what I was getting.  Just because the inside looks yummy, doesn't mean that it is.  BUT, sometimes it does!  I found one with nuts and fruit today that I really enjoyed.  :)

Emily making a mooncake

Mooncake

To eat or not to eat?

"MOONING WEEK"

This week is "mooning week" at school.  No worries, it's not what you think! :)  Since this week is so special for the Chinese, we have dedicated this week to "mooning" the national staff at our school by surprising them with small gifts and a note of encouragement each day.  The fun, but challenging part is that we are "mooning" people that we don't necessarily interact with or see often.  I enjoyed the shopping and am enjoying the "mooning" process.

It's been a fun and busy week and it's only Tuesday!

He made two great lights--the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars.  Genesis 1:16

 

birthday week!

This week has been so surreal.  My birthday has literally been celebrated ALL WEEK and I've enjoyed every moment!  I received gifts and flowers and candy and brownies all week.  "Happy Birthday" was sung to me in 3 different languages:  English, Chinese, and Korean...  and this happened twice on 2 different days!  People from all over the world called and wrote all week long.  I had a great birthday dinner with many great new friends.  This week has been a huge reminder of how blessed I really am... because for some reason, I often forget.



Beautiful Mystery Flowers!

 



Me, Amber, and Em





Friends



Friends



 



Birthday Meal

Thanks to all the special people who turned my special day into a special WEEK!

so far, i've learned...

• The safest place for me to be is in the center of His will.
• My life is fullest when I fill my life with people who are full of Life.
• Emily's attitude about China directly corresponds with my attitude about China.  In other words, eyes are always watching, ears are always listening, and mouth is always moving.  :)
• I AM a picky eater.
• Though my washing machine sounds like it is going to explode any minute, it indeed, is not.
• Change is hard, but change is good.
• Independence isn't always a good thing.
• Don't ask why.
• Close your eyes.
• I must have an attitude for gratitude.
• I will never be bored here.
• Even I, who cannot sing, can speak in different tones... well, kinda.
• I want you to come visit!
• "Si" does not mean "yes" in China.

"In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path."

awake, awake!

"Awake awake, O Zion, clothe yourself with strength."  Isaiah 52:1


As a disclaimer, this verse actually speaks so much more than what I'm going to say tonight.


AWAKE, AWAKE! MORNINGS


I once had the privelege of hearing a very great speaker translate this entire chapter into terms I can understand, and now, several years later, relate to.  What I remember most about her message was how she related the message to her "awake, awake" mornings with her five boys.  The double emphasis on the word "awake" displays the urgency of the word.  She described how her "awake, awake mornings" consisted of her throwing waffles at her children as they walked out the door, while a couple of them catch the waffles, one is still putting on his shoes, and the other is still sticking his arm through his shirt sleeve.


Every morning in China has been an "awake, awake! morning" for us.  We have rarely stayed up past 7 p.m., which makes it hard for us to prepare for the next day.  We have been so tired, that our early bedtimes haven't necessarily called for an early morning.


Most of our mornings have consisted of 2 rushed showers, throwing anything I can find to throw into Em's lunchbox, wet hair, running (or sprinting) around the house to find that sock, or that shoe, or that backpack, or the brush, and then running down the stairs to catch the bus by 7 a.m.


These mornings are not peaceful.  They are hard, they are dreaded, and no matter how much I despise them, most of our mornings have turned out to be "awake, awake mornings".


RISE AND SHINE MORNINGS


I am determined that tomorrow will be our first "rise and shine morning".  We had these often in The States, and I miss "rise and shine mornings".  There is order to them, routine, and peace and calm.


My shower is done.  Emily is in the bathtub.  Lunchbox is packed and in the fridge.  Shoes are by the door.


Emily napped until 5:30 this evening, so she may stay up a little later than usual...  But we are starting to get settled in.  Our apartment is almost completely set-up.  My lesson plans are well-prepared.  I feel like I know what I'm doing tonight.  And tomorrow...  is going to be a Rise and Shine morning!


And if not...  I'll awake awake, and clothe myself with Strength.  :)

restful Sunday :)

our first 10 days

Well, we've been living in China for 10 days, and it's all such a blur.  Our first 10 days went by so fast, but it also seems like we have been here much longer!  We finished our first full week of school this week, along with 2 open houses and meeting many great parents.  It has been a very busy week, and we have not stopped moving since we've been here.


Emily is adjusting to China very well.  :)  I cannot get over the difference between our visit last year and this go-around.  She was a movie star last year.  There aren't a whole lot of blonde children in China, so she was definitely a sight to look at!  Everywhere we went, people were taking pictures, touching her face and blonde hair, and just literally surrounding her.  This year, that isn't the case, and I'm very grateful!  Sure, people stare, and they smile, and they say things that I can't understand yet.  But not one picture has been taken.  I'm sure our time(s) will come, but it's been such a drastic difference.  A few businesses have opened up here that have brought in some foreigners, so my assumption is that a lot more foreigners have been seen in the past year.  It's neat to look back on the experience and just watch the change.  Things seem to change in China everyday!


So, this week, I'm not sure how Emily felt about me being her teacher.  She's adjusting to China very well, but the classroom transition has been a little hard for her.  It's hard sharing Mommy with other kids, and she's trying to claim her territory. :)  She had a wonderful day yesterday.  Best day she's had so far.  Hoping that was a sign of transitioning and that the rest of the year goes smoothly for her and me both.  I really enjoy teaching her.  I'm getting to know so much about her socially and academically that I don't think I ever would otherwise.  It's going to be a fun experience that will stretch me a lot.


OUR HOME


Our apartment is wonderful.  It's completely furnished, Emily sleeps in her own room (which I still just can't believe!), and it's in very close proximity to many great people and friends.  We are going on an IKEA shopping trip today.  I'm excited to add a little bit of our own taste and style to make it feel more like home.  Below are some "before" pictures of our apartment.

living room

living room

bathroom/shower



our closet



laundry room



my room

Emily's room



 "After" pics to come soon!  :)

MY CLASSROOM

My class is just wonderful.  The dynamic make-up of my class is above and beyond all I expected or hoped for.  The diversity in my classroom is very apparent and has already opened my eyes so much.  I have several children from The States (all from different states, and there is just so much diversity in that), some from Korea, China, the Phillipines, South Africa, France, and the UK.  We've only been here for 10 days, and it's already been such a life-changing experience.  More to come...

Word Wall

Behavior Incentive

Classroom View

Calendar Wall

Today's a great day to learn something new!