As I begin this journey with many new friends, activities, places, people, and food, I wanted to send out an update to all my family and friends at home. I am so thankful for the people that I have met who have been so willing to help me through my everyday life.
I have been learning to rest and listen to our Father. “Open your eyes and see how good [He] is. Blessed are you who run to him,” Psalm 34:8. I am learning to run to Him in all circumstances, good and bad, ready and willing to share everything. I am learning that He is my best friend who “will never leave me nor forsake me”. I am learning intimacy with the Father and spending time with Him, not to check it off my to-do list, but to grow in Him. He is always available, always willing, always ready, always listening. He is good. I am thankful.
Here are a few of my new beginnings. Scroll through to see pictures, hear about new experiences, and learn how you can be thoughtfully partnering with me.
New Apartment:
I have been learning to rest and listen to our Father. “Open your eyes and see how good [He] is. Blessed are you who run to him,” Psalm 34:8. I am learning to run to Him in all circumstances, good and bad, ready and willing to share everything. I am learning that He is my best friend who “will never leave me nor forsake me”. I am learning intimacy with the Father and spending time with Him, not to check it off my to-do list, but to grow in Him. He is always available, always willing, always ready, always listening. He is good. I am thankful.
Here are a few of my new beginnings. Scroll through to see pictures, hear about new experiences, and learn how you can be thoughtfully partnering with me.
New Apartment:
Here is the view from the front of my apartment. There is a seat in the windowsill with pillows where I like to spend a good portion of my time.
Here is the, somewhat dark, view of the inside of my apartment.
This is the view from my bedroom window. Can’t complain.
New Best Friends:
New Best Friends:
With this app, you hold up your phone to the characters, take a picture, and it translates it for you. Sometimes into something that makes sense, most of the time not so much.
My roommate made this. She is almost as organized as I am. Actually she is more organized than I am! Who would have ever thought I would say that? Anyway, this has been a life saver when trying to order food and when navigating around town. I simply show my phone, point, and BAM they bring me the food. Then I say one of the few words I know, xie xie, thanks.
Ultimate Frisbee: Although I don’t have a photo of this, we play ultimate on Monday nights. Many foreigners and a few locals get together to play, I’m really good. :)
New Language:
It has been crazy busy these first three weeks, but I am hoping to begin with my tutor this week. I am also very excited to begin teaching English this week!
Here are a few stories about playing charades at the markets:
· About a week ago I went to the veggie market, got my things, paid for them successfully. Then as I was putting my things in my bag and her son came up to me and began talking to me. He was trying to motion, I was trying to motion, I think he was asking about the food, I was trying to say I like it…needless to say, I can’t wait to learn the language.
· The second story happened just yesterday. As I went to the store, I was simply looking for LARGE garbage bags, not the little ones that you put in the wastebasket in the bathroom. I tried to use one translator, but since the basement level has about a million layers of concrete above it, I had no service. I pointed to the bag and motioned bigger, her response, yes with a head nod. Then I put into a different translator, “do you have?” her response once again was a head nod. Then I put the word “where” in my translator and once again I was responded to with a head nod. In conclusion, I was not able to find the large garbage bags.
New Hellos:
Since I am not with my family in the States right now (obviously), I have found new forms of communication. One of my favorites is Face Time. Here are a few pictures from Face Time with my nieces. They really are the best! I am thankful for technology and the many ways it helps me stay in touch with my family and friends back home.
Ultimate Frisbee: Although I don’t have a photo of this, we play ultimate on Monday nights. Many foreigners and a few locals get together to play, I’m really good. :)
New Language:
It has been crazy busy these first three weeks, but I am hoping to begin with my tutor this week. I am also very excited to begin teaching English this week!
Here are a few stories about playing charades at the markets:
· About a week ago I went to the veggie market, got my things, paid for them successfully. Then as I was putting my things in my bag and her son came up to me and began talking to me. He was trying to motion, I was trying to motion, I think he was asking about the food, I was trying to say I like it…needless to say, I can’t wait to learn the language.
· The second story happened just yesterday. As I went to the store, I was simply looking for LARGE garbage bags, not the little ones that you put in the wastebasket in the bathroom. I tried to use one translator, but since the basement level has about a million layers of concrete above it, I had no service. I pointed to the bag and motioned bigger, her response, yes with a head nod. Then I put into a different translator, “do you have?” her response once again was a head nod. Then I put the word “where” in my translator and once again I was responded to with a head nod. In conclusion, I was not able to find the large garbage bags.
New Hellos:
Since I am not with my family in the States right now (obviously), I have found new forms of communication. One of my favorites is Face Time. Here are a few pictures from Face Time with my nieces. They really are the best! I am thankful for technology and the many ways it helps me stay in touch with my family and friends back home.
PRAISES:
Every morning with the girls, we begin with devotions and pr. One of our time with dad last week was entitled, I Already Know:
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today,” Matthew 6:34.
I am [Him]. I am here there and everywhere. All at the same time.
I am [Him]. I am yesterday, today and tomorrow. All at the same time.
That is how I am able to take care of you completely. I get up with you in the morning, and I am already waitng for you on the bus. I eat lunch with you, and I already know what you will have for dinner. I go to sleep with you each night, and I already know where you will be fifty years from now.
So when I tell you not to worry—that I will take care of you—I mean it! I know what problems you will face tomorrow. I’ve already seen them, and today I am preparing you to face them. So leave tomorrow’s worries where they belong; in tomorrow. And when you do get to tomorrow, I’ll already be there—without ever having left your side today.
The girls and I had a great talk about this, and I am pretty sure I came out more encouraged than they did. Dad really knows what he is talking about when he says, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
So thankful that Dad continues to provide for me. It never ceases to amaze me that He knows just what I need and when I need it.
Requests:
· I’ve caught a cold. Pr for health and healing over my body as I’m seem to get bronchitis pretty easily.
· Continue to ask that my financial needs will be met for this year. If you would like to support me financially, you can contact my parents at [email protected] as they are handling all of my finances.
· Ask for grace as I continue to adjust.
· Pr that I continue to grow in intimacy with the Father and that He will continue to reveal to me just what His plans are for me here.
Every morning with the girls, we begin with devotions and pr. One of our time with dad last week was entitled, I Already Know:
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today,” Matthew 6:34.
I am [Him]. I am here there and everywhere. All at the same time.
I am [Him]. I am yesterday, today and tomorrow. All at the same time.
That is how I am able to take care of you completely. I get up with you in the morning, and I am already waitng for you on the bus. I eat lunch with you, and I already know what you will have for dinner. I go to sleep with you each night, and I already know where you will be fifty years from now.
So when I tell you not to worry—that I will take care of you—I mean it! I know what problems you will face tomorrow. I’ve already seen them, and today I am preparing you to face them. So leave tomorrow’s worries where they belong; in tomorrow. And when you do get to tomorrow, I’ll already be there—without ever having left your side today.
The girls and I had a great talk about this, and I am pretty sure I came out more encouraged than they did. Dad really knows what he is talking about when he says, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
So thankful that Dad continues to provide for me. It never ceases to amaze me that He knows just what I need and when I need it.
Requests:
· I’ve caught a cold. Pr for health and healing over my body as I’m seem to get bronchitis pretty easily.
· Continue to ask that my financial needs will be met for this year. If you would like to support me financially, you can contact my parents at [email protected] as they are handling all of my finances.
· Ask for grace as I continue to adjust.
· Pr that I continue to grow in intimacy with the Father and that He will continue to reveal to me just what His plans are for me here.