The weather here has been warming up quite significantly, today it was almost 75 degrees and sunny. Although I’m trying not to get too excited knowing that no matter where you are you always get this tease, one more snow, and then summer really begins. I am secretly hoping though that the global warming thing kicks in a little and it actually stays this nice! I am quite enjoying being outside in the evenings and eating dinner out back in my yard. It’s one of the many joys I have of living on a first floor apartment.
I am now officially moved into my new apartment! It’s a small apartment, but my new roommate is amazing and she has an awesome name if I may say so myself! Her name is…Julianna. In all my life I have never met anyone with my name, spelled the same, loves life as much as I do, and is just an all around amazing person. But that last part has nothing to do with her name or it’s spelling, I just wanted to brag on her for a bit.
I am now officially moved into my new apartment! It’s a small apartment, but my new roommate is amazing and she has an awesome name if I may say so myself! Her name is…Julianna. In all my life I have never met anyone with my name, spelled the same, loves life as much as I do, and is just an all around amazing person. But that last part has nothing to do with her name or it’s spelling, I just wanted to brag on her for a bit.
Ten Quick Updates
1. I am helping a family right now get adjusted to homeschooling life as they prepare to move to a new city. Three boys! Lots of fun, full of energy, but awesome kiddos.
2. I spend 6 hours a week learning language and try to study at least one hour every day in addition to that.
3. I am still teaching ESL on Saturday and Sunday.
4. In the next year I will be in need of $550/mo financially. I ask that you thoughtfully consider partnering with me.
5. I am in the process of setting up opportunities for you to support me while I am home.
6. I am planning my SURPRISE visit home. Love you Mom!
7. I am getting over giardia round two in three months.
8. Summer is here!
9. I’m living in a new apartment with an awesome new roommate.
10. Some big new things coming up these next months! Please join me thoughtfully as I prepare!
2. I spend 6 hours a week learning language and try to study at least one hour every day in addition to that.
3. I am still teaching ESL on Saturday and Sunday.
4. In the next year I will be in need of $550/mo financially. I ask that you thoughtfully consider partnering with me.
5. I am in the process of setting up opportunities for you to support me while I am home.
6. I am planning my SURPRISE visit home. Love you Mom!
7. I am getting over giardia round two in three months.
8. Summer is here!
9. I’m living in a new apartment with an awesome new roommate.
10. Some big new things coming up these next months! Please join me thoughtfully as I prepare!
Teaching:
I am currently teaching at an ESL school. I will be teaching there for four more semesters before moving to a new school in Xining. The new school will be an accredited school where I will be able to work toward keeping my teaching certificate, but more importantly have my own classroom with my very own students! If you want to know more about my decision feel free to contact me! |
Language:
A month ago, I had friends here who were doing some visiting to Xining and relationship building here. While they were here I was forced to use my language abilities and forced to practice both listening and speaking. While this was probably the most challenging month of my experience here, it was also the most helpful. Usually when you are in a place where you don’t know the language or are learning the language, you sort of submit to the person who has the most language. You assume they will be the one to do the talking and listening so you just tune out. For a month, I was the only one who knew the language. I was the one who had to use their language to get around town, tell taxis where to go, communicate with friends, order food, etc. While this was a very challenging experience, I’m thankful for the opportunity. It was awesome to have friends here and be able to catch up with them. I was able to show them a little about my life here and how dad has been working in me and also in the people around me.
I also meet with my tutor two times a week for two hours each. While this has been wonderful for my language learning it has also been a wonderful opportunity to build a relationship with her.
I also meet with my tutor two times a week for two hours each. While this has been wonderful for my language learning it has also been a wonderful opportunity to build a relationship with her.
What I have been learning:
While I feel that I have been in the process of learning so much over the past nine months of my time here are three things that I’ve really been pressing into:
Patience. Spending time with him daily and waiting to hear his voice clearly. Ps. 27:14, “ Wait for the L; be strong and take heart and wait for Him.”
Surrender. I’m here and it’s been one of the most fruitful times of my life. Mt 26:25-33. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Trust. He is good. Ps. 40:4. “Blessed is the man who makes the L his trust.”
Patience. Spending time with him daily and waiting to hear his voice clearly. Ps. 27:14, “ Wait for the L; be strong and take heart and wait for Him.”
Surrender. I’m here and it’s been one of the most fruitful times of my life. Mt 26:25-33. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Trust. He is good. Ps. 40:4. “Blessed is the man who makes the L his trust.”
Partnering with me:
To financially partner with me you can contact my mom at [email protected].
Thoughtfully:
1. Thinking with me over me as I prepare to come home along with opportunities to share what I’ve been doing, how to partner with me financially, and why I’m coming back.
2. Rest in this busy season. I am currently teaching 7 days a week, and in a few weeks we will begin our intensive. During the intensive I will be teaching 5 days a week along with still studying language.
3. Continued open hearts of people that I have been building relationship with.
Thoughtfully:
1. Thinking with me over me as I prepare to come home along with opportunities to share what I’ve been doing, how to partner with me financially, and why I’m coming back.
2. Rest in this busy season. I am currently teaching 7 days a week, and in a few weeks we will begin our intensive. During the intensive I will be teaching 5 days a week along with still studying language.
3. Continued open hearts of people that I have been building relationship with.
Thank you all for your continued love and support!