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! :)
