First weeks of school...

All of our middle high school girls - 6-8th grade - at our first official KG study - my classroom is our headquarters. I have 10 7th and 8th graders in my group this year - they're awesome! :)

As I took an early morning walk today, under the clear blue sky with a cool breeze that I couldn’t resist, I had one of those moments. You know the moment that you know will change the way you view things? As I heard the familiar sounds - the kids crying, languages babbling, the street hawkers yelling to potential customers, horns honking - I walked in my own little world, strangely comforted by these familiar sounds. No longer were the smells of the fish at the wet market odd, startling, or revolting - but in their own way they were just as they should be, and the guys loudly spitting on the ground weren’t disgusting, but instead added to my sense of belonging. I guess in the past I’ve felt at home in a place - of course, Oregon is considered “home” :) - but never have I had the revelation that all these things what once put me on edge or made me cringe bring me a sense of peace, fulfillment, or wholeness. There have most certainly been various moments where Shanghai feels more and more like home, where I return and am excited to see the familiar, glad to be back to my apartment, but this was the first all encompassing experience where the unfamiliar was now the familiar. Watching the old ladies do their dancing, seeing vendors tossing dirty raw chicken water into my path on the street, walking by houses, hearing music blaring - instead of a concoction of noises that set me on edge, it’s become in my ears a symphony, a medley of different flavors, a beautiful patchwork of the culture I live, breath, appreciate for it’s diversity.Yes, I’ve known that I loved China for a while, and yes I’ve loved living here, but today my moment when all was right, when He whispered into my heart through the gentle breezes that this is his home he’s given me, his haven of blessing. I can stand in the assurance and peace I find here, and know that for the time being I’m just where I should be.

Sorry, that’s all for the eloquence... Just to let you know a few updates on the nitty gritty. It’s been a whirl of month - gearing up for school, getting things going, and now keeping the ball rolling. I absolutely love my students - you can’t have favorites, and I don’t know if it’s that I’m more confident, they’re more excited about learning, they love our huge classroom, or a combination - but it’s magical whatever it is. I go into almost every lesson with enthusiasm, singing, yelling, talking to imaginary friends, dancing around the room - whatever it takes to keep the kids smiling and learning. It’s become a place of rest and I love all the time I spend working on my kids, though there never seems to be enough. I swear being year 4 I should have some things more streamlined, but I guess you just get more effective, have more ideas, and create a better environment that all takes more effort - needless to say, I don’t feel very on top of things with my teacher or leadership stuff, but with my kids it’s marvelous.

Last night was our first KG with our new small groups - and boy was that wonderful! Because of the large 7th grade numbers and to promote more cross age mentoring/accountability/mingling, we decided to mix 7th and 8th grade, and 6th and 7th grade. Even just after one night, I am so glad we took the step of faith, and already see blessings from this change. Each of the three MSG(middle school girl) groups have at least 10 students, and they are all pumped up to bring more friends. We’re bursting at the seams, and there is a sense of revival and amazing things in store. He is up to something. We have 80 kids signed up for our youth retreat in two weeks, and had at least 100 there last night in all the grades. It’s pretty astounding.

Returning to friends, knowing the school, having a connection network already set up was wonderful - it has made for a great foundation for adding new friends, getting to continue old ones, and get to see them mix in a beautiful way. I started a tutor last week, and had my second session on Thursday - I’m going to be learning much quicker with Sherry - we went through 3 lessons on one day, but it was cool because I was able to use some vocabulary and such that I’d already learned - made me feel that my first year wasn’t for naught when it came to Mandarin. I’m going to purchase paint to paint my apartment this weekend - I’m paying some painters that are very inexpensive, and just come in and get the job done.

Well, I’m off to clean this apartment - thanks for reading, and enjoy the pictures! We have 1 1/2 more weeks of school, and then October Holiday(1st-8th). The first few days of the holiday will be the youth retreat, and then I’m going to Le Meridian with a couple friends to veg at a 5 star hotel by a lake, do some hiking and kick back! After the retreat I’m certain I’ll need every minute of it! :) I love comments and e-mails on how you’re doing! :)

Enjoy some pics of my classroom! :)

This is my CAFE board which we use for reading strategies! It's awesome!

My wonderful 25 3rd graders - being silly!!!

It's Friday!!!! YEah!!! :)

My huge classroom... we love the space! :)

My flamingo door - isn't he handsome!

Esther spent all morning making this door - isn't it the best? Note the upper right hand corner - it looks like the leaf is bending over. She was quite proud of herself, and I was glad for her artistic assistance!

The LOFT!!! AFter much searching, bartering, and haggling, we finally got it! My kids love it,a nd we're gradually letting the students get to sit up there and read. Neadless to say our class is coveted by all... A couch is arriving this week from a parent in our class too! :)

Moeka reading - our first student in the loft! :)

Between two worlds...

As I write this I’m currently between my two worlds, literally in the airspace between PDX and PVG. I’m in the place of longing for what I’m going towards while feeling jipped at what I’m leaving behind. I’m in the zone of nothingness where I have gobs of time to think, read, catch up on the latest movies, and have time to reflect. To reflect on this summer --- the moments in time, the conversations, the laughter, the fellowship. And I’ll never forget it or let it lose its sacredness. I won’t forget Nathan’s first dance with his bride, getting to meet my grandoggy nephew, or sharing my heart for China with amazing people. But for reasons sometimes I don’t understand, I have to go back. I have to, and the other part of me desperately wants to.

I can’t wait to see my apartment, to sleep in my own bed, to ride Danny through the streets of Pudong, to feel the sticky humidity, well maybe not that. So those of you family and friends that I had the amazing privledge to spend such quality time with stateside this summer, thank you. Thanks for catching my vision, thanks for encouraging me, thanks for desiring to understand this amazing undertaking that’s in my path. Great things He has done, great things he’s yet to do. And I’m thrilled to follow his work.

For those of you I come and see for a bit and then move on, I’m sorry I can’t stay longer. But I want you to know that you are my energy, my foundation, my support that lets me know that I can go and experience, and know you’ll be waiting to pick up where we left off. And while you may wonder why this crazy lady would move across the world to teach in a foreign country, (I know you’ve thought it Grandma :) ), it’s where my heart is. It’s where I’m used, grown, stretched, and where when I land in 7ish hours I’ll hit the ground running towards to goal to win the prize for which we are all called heavenward, well, maybe after a few hours of shut eye that is... May you also pursue the passion and goal he puts in your heart.

Blessings, and until next time, Ji yo! ( Let’s go!!! )

I'm back! Year in Review...

I'm back! I can't believe it! I haven't purposefully been ignoring you, followers of my blog... Blogspot is now blocked by China as of late April, in addition to You tube and other websites... I've tried to get around the firewall to no avail, but now have made it to the otherside! Yeah for free downloads! :)

Where do i begin to catch you up on the last 2 months??? It's been a while, eh? I'm now almost on summer break - last official day of school was on Friday. it was sad to say goodbye to my munckins 0- they've been a blast this year, and i've loved the times we've gotten to spend together.

• The funniest memory of the year is that one time we were studying about the 3-stage lifecycle, and the example was a cochroach. I proceeded to tell my kids about my fear and hatred of cochroaches, which they got much entertainment out of! They proceeded the rest of the year to research facts about them,(did you know they can live 9 days without a head???) - do research papers on them (they can live in all habitats, how interesting! :) They would tell me I had a cochroach on my head at least once a day, and any encouragement note or yearbook signature included a wish that I'd see lots of cochroaches, or have them living in my apartment. It got a little old as I had to act grossed out every time for their benefit... but I thought it was hilarious how my kids picked up on a joke, and went with it. This shows the humor and originality that characterized my students, and the humor we were able to have in the midst of our studies and learning... really , we did learn something important this year ! :)

• The best highlight of the year was Jo and Carly's wedding - it was my first week back in the US for 10 months, and boy was it exciting! Everything was new, fresh, and way cool! Costco!!! Trader Joes!!! Chipoltle!!! I was in heaven, and I got to see all the most important people in my family - friends - everyone - and got to be apart of the best event I've ever witnessed - my oldest brother, now a man, committing himself to his bride with tears, surrounded by the supportive witnesses that gave their blessings upon this union - it was the most joyfilled and od-glorifying ceremony that I've witnessed. And the best part is I got a sister out of the deal too! I've been wanthing one of those ever since Josiah was born! And now he got me one, so I guess i'll forgive him.

• Small group - got to wrap up with them on Friday and have our last sleepover of the year - it was #3 - and they memorized 8 bible verses to come to it - and we memorized 7 more while they were at the study. They're a great group fo 6th graders, and I look forward to continuing to disciple them and train their leadership skills as they move on to be 7th graders.

• Orphanage trip... my class got to take a quilt they colored and my mom made to an oraphanage here in Shanghai two weeks ago - it was a great opportunity for over 1/2 of my students with their parents to serve, and see how they could take part in blessing other people. it was a blessing, and I hope an opportunity for them to see the benefit of service.

• I'm coming home! Just a week and three days from today and I'll be on a plane back to the states! I can't wait to be on US soil, espeically in the northwest, and get to see trees, breath air without smog, and see mountains! OH, and maybe a few stars. City life has it's perks, but nature isn't one of them.

• Truly, though I've been so incredibly blessed this year by my experience in China. I've grown to love the community of sisters and brothers I've gotten to know, love the school community we get to serve in, love the relationships i've built with my vegetable lady, water guy, laundry lady. I won't be landing in PDX the same person who left. I have a whole new perspective on the world, on life, a new satisfaction with who I am in Him, an amazing trust in his provision and covering.

Who would've thought that I'd ...

• complete 2 1/2 marathons... one on the great wall ! OH yeah!!!
• be singing in chinese in front of the whole staff of our school - 200+ teachers... I'll let you know on thursday if i survived!
• be returning next year as grade level chair for 3rd grade, as I do my 3rd year of teaching 3rd grade!
• Have traveled around Xian, Harbin, Beijing 2x, Suzhou, Hanghzhou, Nanjing (all in China) in addition to the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Taiwan! The next countries on my agenda are Korea, Indonesia(did you know they have the most amazing coral reefs int he world!), Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia, and Isreal... i think i need to stay overseas for a bit more to cover the ground i want to see! :)
• be able to eat peppers, mushrooms, onions, avacado, and eggplant with enjoyment and by choice! I'm truly becoming grown up!
• Be completely comfortable running red lights on my scooter at 60 KM
• be able to bandage a gushing cut without fainting!

And finally, have adapted to a completely foreign culture to such a degree that I can say with confidence that I feel at home here, I feel free to be myself, and completely fulfilled by the ministry I've gotten to take part in. We serve such a good God, and he has been soo good to me! His name be praised!

See you soon, friends - can't wait! :) I land on july 2nd and will return to china for year 2 August 14th! :)

In Boracay!!!

Just wanted to say hi from Boracay - we're loving the sunshine, sleeping on the beach, relaxing, it is awesome!!! WE went jet skiing yesterday, and i totally creamed tif and joyce - but now i'm the one whose sore all over! We're drinking lots of mango smoothies, eating cheap food, and today we're going walking on the bottom of the ocean with helmets and will feed fish from our hands. I can't wait! Last night we had a lobster, crab, squid, and giant prawn dinner for 43$ usd for the three of us - it was delicious! And the lobster was green - it was pretty cool!!! It's been the perfect relaxing vacation so far, withthe perfect company! Tif, Joyce, and I have been ready ot have fun, but also to just enjoy and relax. Two more days here, and then we're off to Manila on thursday morning. Two days in manila, and then back to shanghai. but i'm not thinking about that yet. i'll post more later! off to walk on the bottom of the sea!

Nathan's visit... and a nose item...

Whew... it's been a month and 1/2! I apologize if it looked like i fell of the face of the earth at times !:) Here is one big apology for lack of responding to e-mails, and if I've been a bit absent - I feel very sorry, friends! March was prepping for Micah's visit, having a blast with him, recouping in time to have Nathan come, and then last week was recouping from Nathan's visit and getting grades done, and conferences were this week(two 12 hour days, and we also teach on Saturday). But, through it all, God was so faithful, and I was able to enjoy it all to the full! I'm looking forward to enjoying Borcay and Manila to the full for the next week as well! :) Beaches, sunshine, flip flops, fresh mangos, relaxing and reading books, I couldn't have thought of a better way to spend May holiday! And I get to go with Tiffany and Joyce(her TA), so it'll be a wonderful time!!!

The crazy thing is i was thinking about the rest of the school year today.. and it's going to fly by! I have a week and 1/2 after may break and then it's the Great Wall marathon, two weeks after that is Josiah's wedding, and then only two full weeks of school after that! In a little over two months I'll get to back stateside again... i'm longing for it in many ways- for the familiar, though China has defintely become home.

So, here's the picture story of the last few weeks for your enjoyment... make sur eyou make it to the bottom, their's a climax!!! :)

He was a good match for their energy... :)

Micah on his last day - the kids had so much fun chasing him around and wearing him out at recess! :)

Sunday Breakfast Club at my apt. when Micah was here -- we did fried potatoes, and the normal pancakes and eggs - fun times!! :) On my way to pick up the next one!!! Darn those brothers -- I had such a wonderful time with both of them, and now am homesick! there is nothing quite like my brothers! they are so wonderful!!!

So not quite sure whey there was a giant mushroom in the restraunt, but it made for an interesting picture regardless! :)

Nathan, Steph, Janai and I went to hot pot on Nathan's first night in town - it was spicy, but good!

Nathan falling asleep in his Strawberry Uugghhh... we made him stay up as long as possible... and when he fell asleep holding his amazing dessert, we decided he probably had reached his limit! :)

Element Fresh - nathan had "chinese breakfast" with rice porridge and a spring roll and the rest of us got western breakfast with eggs, toast, potatoes! It was quite entertaining! :)

Waiting in line to go up the IFC building (3rd tallest in the world)- first day in Shanghai.

At the top of the IFC with the Jing Mao tower behind and shanghai in the distance.

Steph, nathan and i at the top of the IFC!

Nathan gathered quite a crowd as he was attempting to buy his goard instrument thing! :)

We visited a whole street of music stores... nathan was in heaven! He tried out millions of guitars! That's the brilliance of China - they have all the stores of the same type all at the same spot so you only have to go one place.

Nathan with Rachael's name in chinese characters - this guy was an artist! It was amazing!

Sichuan lunch with the gals... always exciting stuff!

Nathan being charming as always! :)

Nathan playing songs for my kiddos during reading... they paid him a dollar for every song as part of our work and money unit! :) They thought he was so talented.

Nathan having shoa lin boa - a dumpling with soup inside...

East Nanjing Road at night...

Nathan in a great outfit before getting a massage! :)

Nathan with Al at the easter egg hunt! :)

Nathan and Yolotas noodles... he was challenged with getting them into his mouth! :)

Eating the 2rmb breakfast pancake from the street vendor.

The kids refusing to say good-bye to Nathan... and saying good-bye in their own way! :) I finally had to tell the one in the blue and yellow shirt, "Down Fawaz, Down!" :) it was hilarious!:)

Nathan and 3A! :) They loved writing tall tales about him, as well as hearing him share the easter story before our easter egg hunt !It was a great opportunity!

On the subway....

Walking down the street....

Janai getting pierced!

Last picture without a hole in my nose... :)

Tada!!! We did it! :) A lifelong dream of mine fulfilled! And I was only passed out for a minute after seeing blood pouring from my nose while I convulsed with eyes wide open... it was quite entertaining for Nathan and Janai!:) It truly was the creepiest passing out i'd experienced though -- I had these visions flashing in my head and I couldn't control my thoughts - it was way creepy. But now I love it ! :)

Nathan and Janai being themselves! :) Just let me say that they were very familiar by the end of the week ... practically brother and sister!:)

Sleepover last weekend with my small group ! Great times !:)

Memorizing i John chapter 1! :) They had to have the first 5 verses memorized before coming... it was motivation! :)

Taking them for joy rides on scoot scoot - now officially named Danny!

Making cookies!

Micah's awesome stay... and my cool boy! !

He really was here - in all his goofyness and excitement!!!

He left yesterday... I was sad to see him go as we had a marvelous time! I cried when he got here cause I was so excited, and cried when he left... but the in-between was more than I could even have hoped! We got to see shanghai, eat great food - even the best food I've had in China so far! It was worth the two hour train ride to Nanjing just for the food! :) This is the Nanjing group --- notice the ratio of guys to girls... hm... doesn't look to out of place for micah! :) We had massages - three in the week he was here - rode my scooter everywhere! It was the bomb! He love dmy kids, and even one wrote in her thank you note to him that life's boring now that he's gone... I don't know what that says about my teaching, :) but they did love him to pieces!! It was a blast - here's some pictures to enjoy!! and nathan is here in three days -- i have just enough time to catch up on sleep and get ahead on school! :)

Micah and his group at the Science and Tech museum - they were the pandas! :) they had fun - even if he did call one of my students ke ah for the whole day ( her name is KaiYi - pronounced Kie ee :) )

Janai enjoying Strawberry ugghh... we made dinner one night and it was awesome!! We hung out with friends every day - he really got to know my group well - and even got their names pretty well figured out! they all thought he was great - like having a little brother around to pick on!

Almost as awesome as my new scooter - but not quite! this is cool boy - as it's named so far - I love him so much, and he drives very fast - when he has charge. it gives me so much freedom to explore - and to feel indendent! It's like I finally have moved here since I've bought a vehicle! :)

So we took a motorcycle taxi back afte rour trip downtown - there was a que of 20 people for taxis and none there - so we decided a 10 yuan ride on a motorcycle would be adventure as well as cheaper - and it was a blast! I'd do it again in a heartbeat! :)

Wide eyed on the Bund - with the Oriental Pearl Tower! :) We did Yu Yuan garden, Nanjing Road, the Bund, and Blue Frog for dinner all in one night! We were gung ho! :)

Our Nanjing group at the train station! This was right after there was a whole train car of people staring at Micah and I while we were waiting for our train - seriously all 40 people had their faces pressed to the class looking at us - so I did a little dance, twirl, and curtsy - they laughed, a few clapped, and some looked away embarresed that they'd been caught staring! :) I guess my qualms about doing crazy things in public goes down the longer i live in Asia. I was going to chase the train and blow kisses, but our train arrive before theirs left...

Micah taught my kids ASL - and they loved it - it was the highlight of the week !Here they performed for their 1st grade reading buddies.

Korean food! Micah loved kim bob especially! And two Korean parents sent it with us on the field trip on Friday to the museum - we were in heaven!!! :)