Memories Galore...

So today is a memory day. I've been listening to some older, random songs on my ipod for the past couple of hours. I think I have a memory for every song. Haha. It's amazing. I have thought of everything from Graduation Day in high school (I'm Not Gonna Cry-Corrie Smith) to beta convention my junior? year (With You-Avril Lavigne) to band bus rides (strangely enough.. This I Promise You-NSync) to dances after football games (I'll Be-Edwin McCain). Soo many things wrapped up in so few lines. If someone had asked me about my high school graduation earlier today, I might've remembered a little, but nothing like when I heard our class's song. I find myself wondering where everyone is and how their day is going. It's odd to think that 3 years ago, we were all in the same classes with each other everyday.

On a fun note, I woke up yesterday to make chocolate chip muffins before some of our friends came over. My sister had all ready measured everything out for me, thankfully, because I was a little later getting up than I had planned. Well, unfortunately, I promptly poured the water in without even looking at how much it was. :) I noticed that something was wrong when it looked like soup.. didn't the recipe say to stir until SLIGHTLY moistened?? Um. Yeah. So I put in 1 1/2 cups instead of 1/2 cup of water that it called for. Finding a recipe to add to it was not too big of a deal, and it was a new experience for me.. I don't bake many breakfast things. Now I know how to make muffins!! Yay!! Haha.

I had my first test today in my Chinese classes. It was pretty rough. If I actually took time to study a lot, I would do fine, but I really enjoy what I do with my afternoons much more. Therefore, I may be dropping down a class soon. My team and I went to a nursing home last Thurs. instead of the countryside. It was an awesome experience, and some awesome time spent with friends and with my Father. A couple of other ladies and I went and did our own thing while we were there, visiting a couple of rooms and singing songs (in English). I'm working on learning a few in Chinese though! :) These are a couple of ladies that sang with us.

Amazing Night

I had the absolute best time Thursday that I have had in an extremely long time. In terms of what I did, it wasn't so very different from other Thursdays. But in terms of what the Father revealed to me and the joy I felt, it was so awesome.

As much joy as the people have at seeing us at the nursing homes, orphanage, and countryside clinics, the weight of their oppression and how dismal the places are was really starting to get to me last week. I felt weighted for them. I was staying tired all of the time, and I was beginning to wonder why He would bring me here to go to these places when it seemed I could do little. I can't communicate, and I can't share the hope I have in Him to brighten up their days, simply because I don't know the language. So on the way to the countryside Thursday, I spent a lot of time in pr. I also spent some time resting. We arrived and the people were so thrilled to see us. One of the ladies even remembered my name! That alone made me feel as though I had a larger impact than I originally thought. While we were there, one of my co-workers also shared that my eyes were always so bright. I know that could not possibly be coming from me, because I had been feeling so down and tired, and I was sure that that was showing. So I knew at that moment that all of my pr's had been answered for His light to shine through me.

Then, on the way home, as I rested even more in Him, He showed me the stars. That may sound odd, but I really like staring at the stars. Part of that may come from growing up in the country and being able to look up and see a sky chock full of them. I can point out a few constellations, and when I looked up from my window in the van that night, I saw one of those. It gave me peace. :) Also, when we stopped to eat, we played a game of Killer. That sounds really bad, but it was fun, and it's a game that I've played with my band family before a long time ago. It was just that everything was working together so perfectly to show me just how much He loves me, and that I really am supposed to be here. Dad's so amazing!!

FrO?

My friends, Jaime and Isaac, from Beijing came in for the weekend last weekend. They arrived on Friday night and stayed until Sunday afternoon. It was so much fun. We toured campus, played speed scrabble and dutch blitz, and ate Chinese food. You would think, living in China, that the last part of that would not be that exciting. However, I live with another American and a Canadian, both of whom's favorite website is allrecipes.com. So in all actuality, we don't have much Chinese food. So anyway, Jaime braided my hair on Saturday night really tightly, so I could leave it up for a couple of days. :D (That meant I got to sleep later.) So when I finally took it down on Monday night, it was a bit poofier than normal to say the least.. AND I could style it into a heart. :) Isn't that fun??

yi yue

Hey guys. Sorry it has been SOO long since I updated. Abigail, my sister Melinda's foster girl just had surgery on August 17. She had to have surgery to remove a buildup of muscle from the lining of her intestines, because it was causing a blockage. I know that seems like a while back, so let me give you a time frame. We (Melinda, Abigail, Ethan-her other foster child, and I) checked into the hospital on August 11. However, the day before we actually spent the day at the hospital as well. Abigail could not eat or drink anything from the 11th until the 24th. She had a successful surgery, and now can actually eat chunks of food like a normal 3 year old. I stayed in and out at the hospital with them, and everyone finally came home on the 27th. YAY!! This week things have been really crazy. I started Chinese classes Wednesday. They are really fun, and difficult at times, but 2 of my 3 teachers speak English and the third uses a lot of body language. I kinda feel like I'm in a game of charades sometimes. :) They're going really well. I also went to the foster home and countryside with LIGHT. I'll get to go to the orphanage again tomorrow. The kids there are just getting over a round of hand, foot, and mouth disease. Then, Friday night, a couple of our friends from Beijing came in and stayed the weekend with us. It was awesome.. but now I'm worn out. :)

In the past month we've gone to Starbucks for my roommate Heather's birthday, I've gotten lost and trapped in WalMart, and I've walked more looking for busses than I ever have in my life. It has been amazing. As far as Walmart goes, you leave a different way than you come in, and I couldn't find it. That was a bit scary, but makes for a really fun story now! Starbucks was fantastic as always. I'm also getting used to the walking finally. It's been a really great experience. I love being here, although the hospital gave me enough culture shock to want to go home a couple of times. The Father has gotten me to today, and I know He holds the future in His hands, thankfully. Here are a couple of fun pictures from the best parts...


Abigail on surgery day...

At the nursing home on Wednesday


Starbucks!!!!!