Today in class I asked my students this question, "What's the translation in Chinese for stunt man?"

I got this answer, "Jackie Chan."

They were completely serious! Heehee...

It rained like mad last night. Loud thunder. Lightening. Wind. That's really rare here in Beijing, and I was a happy girl! I sat on my bed with my window open enough to really hear the rain pounding down... smiling and feeling all warm and cozy inside. I even lit my last remaining candle (I'm trying to conserve it so that it doesn't run out before I leave in 2.5 weeks).

I can't belive I've almost spent 2 years in China! That's wild! This place has definitely become home (though I'm constantly reminded that I'm a foreigner). It will break my heart to leave... but in a good way because I know that I'm being obedient and there is so much joy and peace in that. I'm excited about beginning this next chapter of my life... as a California girl (ok, I don't think I'll ever quite be a true Cali girl, but I love the beach and the mountains and warm weather, so I think I'll survive!)

I'm not even sure if anyone reads this blog yet (other than Allison S... thanks, girl!) but I'll keep you all posted on my adventures and whereabouts. Here's to drinking in the last moments here and stepping out into a great adventure there!!!

pursuit

Sometimes it is refreshing to read the Word from a different translation just to wake up your brain and hear/see the same things but just a little differently (of course, the translation must be accurate... just had to throw that in there!) Anyway, I was recently talking to a very wise woman who has become a dear friend to me, and she mentioned that she had been reading Psalm 23 from a translation she doesn't normally read. The passage is so familiar, and yet one word change turned her head and touched her heart. Pursue. Verse 6 says, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life..." In the particular translation she was reading it said, "Surely goodness and mercy will pursue me every day of my life." Wow! I don't know about you, but this sure hits home for me! We all want/need to be pursued... by our family members, friends, teachers... those we love and look up to. The child who is pursued by his teacher thrives. The friend who is pursued by her friend (through phone calls, time spent together, etc.) feels loved and appreciated. The son/daughter who is pursued by his/her parent feels valued, special, safe. The woman who is pursued by her lover feels cherished and secure.

What a great thought (and it's true!) that we are promised pursuit all the days of our life. The Father's goodness will pursue us. His mercy will pursue us. He Himself, the author of all love and creativity and life... will pursue us! I can't even believe that the Father of the universe wants to pursue my unworthy heart every day! That is nothing but grace... and today, I rejoice in that! You can rejoice in it too... no matter what your circumstances or the condition of your heart, there is someone who will pursue you each and every day of your life! Can I get an amen?

What's in a name?

I just want to share that I have a student in my Sunday class whose name is Luke. He spells it "Look." Awesome. I also have a Bush, Smart, and Strong. Oh, the English names in China! Gotta love it! Also I have a student named Jasmine, but she thinks her name is Jessimy because the Chinese teachers can't pronounce her name correctly. Oh gosh!

Happy Children's Day to one and all! A year ago today I was bustin' a move at our Children's Day program at Hui Jia school! Oh what a memory...