Language break throughs!

Today I had two aha moments... First, I was able to order cold soy milk in a full sentence- "I want to buy one container of soy milk." I had a repeat part of it, but the lady understood me, and there was a connection as I was able to communicate!!! Yeah!!! I've felt so isolated at times not being able to explain what I want or to tell people simple greetings. It's exciting to be able to use what I'm learning and see it's practicality.

I met with my language partner today, and she actually commented on how well I pronounce some things - like a native Chinese speaker she said. I think she was stretching the truth, but encouraging none the less.... :)

We're using the book as our textbook, and we're in 1 John. I wanted her to start reading something important to her, and she suggested I also start reading Chinese words of Gd. So I started memorizing John 4:19 today - "We love because he first loved us." What power there is in those words - and to be able to say them in another language brought tears to my eyes and humility to my soul. I'm so excited to be able to together study the most important book in the languages we are learning - it's powerful and meaningful learning for us both. And I can't wait to see how He'll use this.

The biggest truth I've been learning lately has been to dwell. At our youth leaders meeting last night another leader shared Psalms 37:3-5 - that talks about dwelling in the land - to do good and prosper - committing our ways to the Lrd - trusting in him. I've been struggling in my attempt to fit in here, yet not let relationships with people at home dwindle. But the fact of the matter is that I'm here, in China, to be in China - to dwell here, to make the most of every opportunity here because the days are evil, to remain in Him, to trust, and to commit what I do to Him. I am so comforted by that fact.

Today as you serve go about your day and activities, work and school, may you dwell in the land he has given you - and enjoy the pasture he's brought to you!

Zhujiajiao

Today was awesome! Finally got to get out and see something outside of Pudong! We went to a water town which was amazing and fun. it was an adventure getting there- our group got seperated as we got off the subway, and then missed the only bus there. So we got a guy in his mini-van to take us there and back - our own chartered private transportation! :) It was a fun day and neat to see the area. Definetly a tourist trap, but got to enjoy different foods and the boat ride was awesome.

This was the group that went - Steve, Mary Ann, Tara, Carmen, and Owen. We had a fun time together- especially once we got there. The view from the boat was especially wonderful - the trip was very short, but it was worth it especially since it was only $1.50 USD. There was a nice breeze to break up the muggy day.

Fun weekend! Finally!!

Well I was finally feeling good for a weekend, so was able to do some fun stuff! :) Yeah!


I ventured to City Store down town by the Oriental Pearl tower. I was so excited to find raw sugar that I started crying right there in the store - I was so thankful that Gd provided! I found gluten free mixes, rice pasta!!! rice dream and soy ice cream!!! Chocolate and vanilla soy milk, annie's salad dressings, and I have almost all my ingredients to be able to bake now! :) It was so much fun, it was like heaven on earth! To know that I can find things that I need, and that they do have some things here, was such a blessing. I spent a lot of money - I haven't calculated it in USD becuase I don't want to know how much I spent, but it was worth it. It totally made my weekend! Here is a picture of my cupboard all full of wonderful food! Oh, and I also got two packages from home today too, complete with peppermint patties and spelt noodles, so I'm living large! :)



We also went to the Super Brand Mall - 8 stories high, with western stores(more expensive than places in the states, but good to know that you can find stuff if you want it.




Here is a picture of me with the Olympic torch! :)

















This is Thanksgiving Fellowship! It's just a 5 minute walk from the SMIC campus. I'm on my way to a meeting for helpers for the youth tonight. We're having a retreat coming up soon, so that'll be fun to get to hang out with the kids.

Olympic Torch - First week done!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is a picture for you of my precious students! Two of them are holding the Olympic Torch that our CEO of SMIC got to hold during the torch ceremony before the Bejing Olympics. I have a picture took of myself and Grace with the torch as well. It was quite an honor, and something you don't get to see very often!

We finished week 1 successfully. I am very glad to have two days to not think about lesson plans or anything school related. I had so much fun this week, but am tired and ready for a break for my brain. Being out of practice for a year I forgot how much teaching took out of you - emotionally, mentally, vocally... :) It was a rewarding and exciting week bonding with my students; got a hug from one of them when they left today. One student adoringly calls me Miss Gel Gel - his nickname for me that has kind-of stuck. These 21 students have successfully wormed their way into my heart, with their laughter, smiles, and enthusiasm for learning. Overall they are a bright group of students, just waiting for me to inspire them. I've had some of the most fun lessons I've ever taught this week. And this is just the beginning, laying the framework. I have a feeling this year will be out of this world! :)

The Father is so good. I've joined worship team and will play once a week on that. And tonight I visited KG the youth group at Thanksgiving. It was a wonderful time; I got to know a sweet 6th grader from the UK named Anita - it was her first time too, so we hit it off. I have to pry about it this weekend, but during worship Gd was just telling me, are you ready to do this? Ready to serve? This is what you're here for - this is where you're supposed to be. Yes, teaching, and that is a great mnstry, but this is going to be my support group with the other leaders, and my way to give back, and in something other than school. I'm anticipating great things through His strength.

Tomorrow I'm finally going to make it to down town for fun - we're going to Super Brand Mall, which has high end stuff, but it's by the Oriental pearl tower and is more in central Shanghai. After that we're going to a health food store! I can't wait to find some gluten free food that I can have! It's been interesting so far finding food, but the Lrd has provided. It will be a blessing to find somethings I can have beyond fruit and veggies though - maybe some chocolate?? I don't think I can last 3 months without it... :)

Until next time...

I feel at home here...

I was so excited to write and update you all tonight. I felt so at peace today, like I belong here, like this is my home. I had a good day with my students; they are such darling kids - so eager to learn. They are like sponges just waiting for me to fill them up. My relationship with my TA is wonderful, and we're getting to be a productive team. I got lots of planning done after school today for next week, so that feels good. I have a student already leaving for a week... it's a big holiday in Korea they are going to celebrate, I forget what it's called. I bought a plant for my classroom for less than 3 dollars, though my friend bartered for me. My language partner ( who teaches music in the Chinese Track) is starting to teach me vocabulary for shopping, though, so I do know how to say that I'm just looking, or no thank you. It's excited to be starting to pick up the language.

I bought fruit after school for 3 RMB - which is a great price as it was 50 cents for four peaches! The school provides this to us as a service - so i'll definetly have to take advantage of it!

I wish i had more time to talk, but i have to get up at 5:45 to run 3 miles - it's a longer marathon training day tomorrow. But then Friday is my rest day! I do think that tomorrow night will be a massage night though... my back is feeling it! I was proud of myself though, it has been almost 2 weeks since my last one! :)

Thank you for your pryrs. I hope to remember sometime soon to take a picture of my class, so you can put faces to the darlings that I tell you about. They are a blessing to me, and I simply thrilled about being back in the classroom.

First Day!!!

I am exhuasted and need to get to bed, so I can get up to run at 5:45am(I'm training for the 1/2 marathon in shanghai in November) but wanted to say that my first day of school was great. I have a wonderful group of students, and am glad to have the first day finished. Lots of unknowns are through, and I can focus on getting into content and giving my students all the tools that they need this year. They are well behaved and follow directions well. They are used to talking out when not called on, so that will be something we work on, but other than that they are quite dears. I'll post pictures when I can. So many adventures to tell you about when I have more time...

Oh, and I passed my Reading Endorsement PRAXIS test - which was what my master's was for - so a friend and I went out to celebrate at Element Fresh tonight - a Western place in Jin Qiao. It was expensive - about US standards - but it was yummy food! And it was fun to get to celebrate the excitement of knowing that I have everything finished for my endorsement! The Father is so faithful.

More to come later...