With Christmas just over a week away, I am currently listening to Christmas music as I write this update! Although with this being the first holiday season without my family, I am beyond thankful for the family I have acquired here. I’m thankful for the friends who watch Elf with me when I don’t have my family to watch it with, and the ones who make a thanksgiving dinner and gather together to play games and share laughter. These friends have been so great in coming around me as I process my new life and as I begin to step forward into new and exciting opportunities and experiences. In saying such here is an update on a few aspects of my life. As always feel free to contact me anytime! |
Thanksgiving Day:On Thanksgiving Day, many of the foreigners got together to play a good old fashion game of American Football! After a full morning of laughter and enjoying playing football in the snow, I went over to our friends’ house and enjoyed turkey, rolls, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and all the famous goodies! Although this holiday season has been hard for me, it has been amazing to see how all come together to celebrate the true meaning of this season. |
Visa Update:
I am now TESOL certified and I have received all of my paper work to apply for my work visa! I will leave this Sunday, December 14th for Hong Kong and I hope to return the following Thursday! Ask for no complications as I go to apply on Monday. To see how prs have been answered and how His hand has been in this process is a reminder to me to lean on His strength and not my own.
The Lily Project:
For those of you who don’t know about the Lily Project, you can view my last blog or you can contact me anytime. The Father has invited me to join Him on this journey. He has invited me to love His children with true Love; with the Love that He so graciously fills me with each day.
The other night I was really asking Dad if this was what he wanted me to do. Yes, I have such a passion to work with children and a gift of teaching, but I wanted to know if my wants and desires lined up with His plans. Dad woke me up to tell me that He just wanted me to spend time with Him. So I opened up my computer and turned on some music.
Here is a little blurb from my journal: “It was as if my Spt knew that I needed to get up, pr, and give thanks; that only then would my heart and soul be filled. As I spent time with Him last night I cried out for wisdom and discernment to know what is next. I told Him I was fearful and He gave me Jms 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” “Dad then gave me the name Jeremiah. Jeremiah told Dad that he couldn’t speak because he was only a child, he didn’t know how. Dad told Jeremiah not to be afraid because He would be with him. I feel like Dad is telling me to trust the Spt. In Him I need to have no fear because He will be with me.”
The other night I was really asking Dad if this was what he wanted me to do. Yes, I have such a passion to work with children and a gift of teaching, but I wanted to know if my wants and desires lined up with His plans. Dad woke me up to tell me that He just wanted me to spend time with Him. So I opened up my computer and turned on some music.
Here is a little blurb from my journal: “It was as if my Spt knew that I needed to get up, pr, and give thanks; that only then would my heart and soul be filled. As I spent time with Him last night I cried out for wisdom and discernment to know what is next. I told Him I was fearful and He gave me Jms 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” “Dad then gave me the name Jeremiah. Jeremiah told Dad that he couldn’t speak because he was only a child, he didn’t know how. Dad told Jeremiah not to be afraid because He would be with him. I feel like Dad is telling me to trust the Spt. In Him I need to have no fear because He will be with me.”
Language Learning:
So, Chinese is hard. I do however enjoy learning this new language. I am beginning to realize that I just need to start using it no matter how silly I may feel or sound. For example the other day I told my tutor that I ate my friends on Thanksgiving instead of I ate with my friends on Thanksgiving. Apparently sentence structure matters. But I’m getting there; looking at signs to see what Characters I recognize and speaking words I remember. Sometimes it’s the little victories that matter. Like understanding when someone who lives in your building ask you if you’re American and you understand it. I continue to ask that Dad would make my tongue Chinese aka that the language would come easily to me, that I would retain the knowledge I gain, and understand these things called characters. I know that what ever I do next, I need to know language. I need to be able to communicate and unless I continue to try, I won’t learn. |
Teaching ESL:
Each weekend I continue to teach English. I teach 7 classes, forty minutes each. I love to be able to use both the gifts I have been given and the opportunity to show Love to both my students and co-workers. Also, here, they have this amazing thing called a lunch break for two hours each day! I get to come home for lunch and enjoy some time with my new roommate KalKoen. He’s pretty great!...Don’t worry mom, he’s a dog.
What I have been learning:
· My strength is not my own. As I walk through each day I continue to lean on Him and trust in His purpose.
· That I need to continue to place my eyes upon His face as He gives all that I need. My home is not any place on this earth but simply wherever I am with Him.
· Through learning a new language and a new culture, He has been able to teach me both patience and trust.
· “For out of the overflow of the heard to mouth speaks.” --Mt 12:34
· He hears and answers our thoughts.
· That I need to continue to place my eyes upon His face as He gives all that I need. My home is not any place on this earth but simply wherever I am with Him.
· Through learning a new language and a new culture, He has been able to teach me both patience and trust.
· “For out of the overflow of the heard to mouth speaks.” --Mt 12:34
· He hears and answers our thoughts.
Requests:
Ask that I continue to grow in a deeper, more intimate relationship with Dad.
As always, I ask that you thoughtfully consider walking along side me financially. Although teaching ESL does pay, most of that money goes towards my student loans. In saying such, I need help in other areas, such as rent, food, and other daily living expenses.
Ask for His favor as I apply for my visa on Monday.
Think about the Lily Project and that His plans continue to fall into place.
As always, I ask that you thoughtfully consider walking along side me financially. Although teaching ESL does pay, most of that money goes towards my student loans. In saying such, I need help in other areas, such as rent, food, and other daily living expenses.
Ask for His favor as I apply for my visa on Monday.
Think about the Lily Project and that His plans continue to fall into place.