you don't have to be strong enough...

"I cAn Do AlL tHiNgS tHrOuGh CHRIST wHo GiVeS mE sTrEnGtH."

santa's workshop...

I was told earlier this week that my original classroom was ready to move back into.  While this was exciting and something we've all been waiting for, it was also a huge stressor.  There's just so much to do and so little time.  Being that it was Spirit Week at school, it has been a very busy week. 

My intentions were to gradually move back in.  I was even thinking about waiting until after Thanksgiving, when the kids come back from the break, and it would be a fresh start for them.

I had absolutely no intentions of moving EVERYTHING yesterday and having it all set up and ready to go by TODAY!  But I work with amazing people, and when I saw how many people showed up after school to help move things, I thought "let's do this"!

I kid you not, within 30 minutes, everything was moved from my room on the 2nd floor down to my original room on the first floor.  I had 20 new IKEA chairs that needed to be assembled, and I seriously felt like I belonged in Santa's Workshop.  People were smiling and willing to do anything and everything I asked.  I looked around and 20 different chairs were being assembled.  And just the sound of the laughter and the hammering was enlightening.

It is absolutely unbelievable that my students were able to walk into their classroom today.  They were more than excited, and I am overjoyed to have my classroom back!

ALL IN ONE DAY:

Theatre Thursday
(We all dressed as book/movie characters)
I was Tinkerbell and Emily was Sleeping Beauty.

Santa's Workshop begins

The Final Product
(Notice the new tables and chairs.  The kids were so excited about these!)

Toni & Guy

So, this blog is a little past due, but I'm still excited about this so it deserves a post. :)

For those who are unfamiliar with Toni & Guy, it's a hair salon in The States.  I first tried out Toni & Guy when I lived in Arizona 7ish years ago, and I absolutely fell in love with the place. After leaving AZ, I was fortunate to find a Toni & Guy in 3 different cities in Texas.  The people who work there are all trained the same way and have their own "style" of cutting.  The receptionists all wear black and white and look very "put together". 

Getting my hair cut in China was honestly... one of my biggest fears.  I have heard horror stories.  So..  when I happened to stumble across a Toni & Guy, I had to try it out!  It's hard to tell if places in China are actually legit, but the receptionist was wearing black and white and all the stylists had "the style".

So... I went for it, and I loved it!  Thank you Toni & Guy for once again, exceeding my expectations.

P.S. I can now say I've cut my hair at Toni & Guy in every city I've lived in. :)

a glimpse of heaven

Man, it's been a busy couple of weeks!  This week we have been practicing for a performance that my students did yesterday.  We have had a new teacher intern in our small, temporary classroom.  We had our first "Show and Tell" day, and much much more.  It's hard to find time during the midst of the busyness to sit down and really reflect and appreciate everything that is going on around me.

In all honesty, I rarely do.  I'm struggling to find the balance between the art of "doing" and "being".  I find myself just attempting to "survive" in this foreign land and this fast-paced life.  Trying to "survive" the frustrations of being unable to communicate and my mediocre "charades" skills.  There is much stress and requirement and responsibility that comes with this... place. 

But He reminds me that , "To whom much is given, much is required."

So, then, I attempt to reflect on what has been given rather than what is required to constantly remind me that what has been given is much bigger than what is required.

And this week, during the overwhelming moments, I found myself, many times, going back to last Friday.  International Day.  A day where all our kids came dressed in outfits from their countries of origin.  A day where every student in our school got to sample foods from several different countries, and hear presentations from people who were born and raised in these countries, and experience music and crafts from these coutries, and carry and view flags from these countries.  There were 16 different flags...  and each flag represented a child, who at one time has walked through our school.  This was a day where there was no way I could disregard the diversity in my classroom, or overlook the fact that I am extremely fortunate and blessed to experience just a taste...  a glimpse of heaven...  where people from every nation, and tribe, and tongue will join to praise Him, the Creator of this diversity, and these people, and this foreign place, and requirements, and responsiblities, and charades...

The Marketplace

Emily claimed she wears
American clothes everyday
and insisted on wearing
her new China gear. :)



We were excited that they
were making cowboy hats
in the U.S.A. presentation.



all in one week!

This week was a National Holiday in China, so we had the entire week off of school, woohoo!  So much to write about, but with absolutely no flow or organization.  China functions in this orderly chaos sort of way and so will this blog.  :)

BEIJING

 Emily and I just got back from Beijing a couple of days ago, where I attended a 4 day Teacher's Conference with teachers from all over China.  We were able to reunite with friends we had met in New York back in June for our orientation and training.  It was great to see everyone and to meet to new people and make new friends.  Emily enjoyed hanging out with friends she had met in New York while I was attending sessions.

Emily's new China outfit

After the conference, we spent an extra day exploring Beijing and fighting the holiday crowds.  We had lots of fun catching subways, eating good food, bargaining and getting great deals.  This trip really showed me how dependent I am on Him, Someone Bigger, and how I have absolutely no control.  I find myself prying for really small things, which seem like really big things here.  I pryed that some way, somehow Emily and I would get to sit next to each other on the 5 hour train ride...  or at least in the same car...  that there would be a western toilet somewhere in this place just for this moment.  I pry for toilet paper, and soap, and taxi rides.  For people willing to help and carry Emily and my luggage when I just can't do it all.  I pry that there is at least one thing on the menu that Emily will eat.  I pry that the next person with a cigarette will blow the smoke the opposite direction.  And I thank Him, that He is Bigger than all the small things, which are really big things.  And that all these pryers were answered.  And that this potential chaotic and stressful trip was a very do-able and enjoyable trip.  We loved Beijing!

Just a small crowd in Beijing

caramelized fruit on a stick... so yummy!

silkworms...  I just watched



overlooking the Forbidden City



the closest we've gotten to a Panda so far


SINKHOLE

So after a day of resting from the trip, I went into school this morning with the intention of rearranging my entire classroom...  because it just hasn't really felt like my room.  Well, much to my surprise, it is no longer my room!  I walked in this morning and the entry way and a few other spots in my room had sank/lowered several inches!  Once we had the landlord and contractors come look at it, they concluded that a pipe was leaking, causing the dirt, sand, cement...  whatever is under there... to wash away.  They are going to have to strip away the floor and fix it.  They say it will be two weeks...  but it's China.  :)  I'm very grateful that I went in this morning and didn't wait until Monday.  Whew!

I really wish I would have gotten "before" pictures of the whole process, where my tables were slanted and bookshelves were leaning forward.  But doing a photography shoot was not on the forefront of my mind when I stepped onto the sunken entry way.  Here are a few pics of the process.

aww, goodbye room

If you look closely, you can see
where the wall and the floor separate



look closely



biggest tarp I've ever seen!

NEW CLASSROOM

So, I had to move to a new classroom. Thanks to a great team of friends and co-workers, we were able to move as much as we could into my new classroom (which is literally less that half the size of my old classroom).  It looks great, looks organized, and if I had to go in and teach tomorrow... I could.  So thankful that I don't!  And I have 2 more days to prepare for one of the many transitions my students have had this year.

  

PLAY DAY

I am so grateful that Emily had a wonderful play day with a couple of her friends while her classroom was being disassembled and moved!  Here are a few highlights of her day.

 

Emily and her best friend, Jeahna,
who is also in our class

LADY'S NIGHT

I ended this crazy day with a quiet evening on a rooftop with a great community of women.  Gloves and jackets, fire, sparks, and smoke, warm chai, chili, and laughter... testimonies, apple crisp, and s'mores.  Great and calming end to such a hectic day.

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!