Awhile back, my wonderful parents sent me some Valentine's candy...it was tons of fun passing out those little "sweethearts" with messages on them to Chinese friends, explaining goofy & lovey-dovey English phrases. I was most excited, however, about the Dove Promises they gave me--delicious chocolates with alternately sweet & sappy thoughts written on their wrappers. One night, I opened one that read "Go Where Your Heart Takes You." Given what was going on and going through my head at the time, I think I will keep and treasure that silly little wrapper forever.
 |
| At GuiYuan Simiao (temple) with Andrea, Andy, myself, Gabi, Aaron, Sarah, Nicole, and John Wendland). |
Back in Wuhan, I had a few days of settling in before going back to school...I rested up, but then spent a lot of time with our Hankou group, showing John Wendland and Gabi (two fellow FoC teachers from different cities) around our city a bit...we took them out dancing, went to shoot off fireworks by the river, to a temple, to "Breakfast Street" (a place with tons of delicious & unique street food), on a ferry ride, and more. It was a lot of fun, but my mind wasn't really there at all...
 |
| Ruth and baby John :) |
A couple days into my Hong Kong trip, I got awful news, hard to wrap my mind around...one of my best friends, Ruth, from high school, was diagnosed with advanced stomach cancer. Even worse, she was over six months pregnant at the time. The distance and surreal nature of it all made it very hard to sink it--Ruth has always been vibrant, full of life & energy, and always very young and healthy. My first few weeks back in Wuhan were rough...school was fine, studies and hanging out with friends were great, but I thought about my beautiful friend constantly, desperately wanting to go see her. After lots of pr@yer, talks with my supportive parents, loving fam and friends, and reading that Dove Promises wrapper, I decided "Go Where Your Heart Takes You" was perfect advice...I headed home to America for two weeks.
 |
| Our very own rock band ;) |
Thankfully, my school was very understanding about giving me the time off, my sensational parents gave me yet another loan to pay for the flight, and studies were able to go on as usual during my time away from Wuhan. In spite of the horrible situation, of course it was such a blessing to be able to see my family while I was home...my mom & dad, sisters, and grandparents picked me up from the airport, and it was a joyful reunion!
 |
| Out to eat with the cousins! |
While I was home, I also got to see a few aunts & uncles, my Grandma Cox, a few friends, and cousins. My sweet little cousins, Emily & Leah, were even in a production of "The King and I" that I was lucky enough to watch while I was home--great job, girls!!! Thankfully, Ruthie was admitted to Mayo Hospital, one of the best cancer-treatment centers in the entire world...I know she has countless family, friends, and supporters who were so grateful she was in the hands of staff there. Selfishly speaking, it was nice for me, just an hour away from my house...I was able to travel back & forth between seeing her and spending time with my family.
 |
| Leah & Emily played two of the King's children in Luther High School's "The King and I." |
At home with my family, we went out to eat (I had my three must-have in America foods: Taco Bell, a shamrock shake, and hummus :p), played games, watched movies, talked a bunch, and just enjoyed each other's company. It was Stefanie's Spring Break from WLC for one of the weeks I was home too--pretty nice! I was happy to visit my home congregation (especially for Lenten services), sing offertory with my parents and Stef, and watch Maria play (and dominate!) in a volleyball match :)
 |
| Watching Maria (bottom right) serve like 15 consecutive points in a row...you go, gurrrrl! |
I think it was my third day back in the U.S., when I was finally able to go visit Ruth in the hospital...we had talked on the phone a couple times while I was in China, and then again once I'd arrived home.. I was so grateful to have the chance to see her, and so excited to have a "sleepover" in her hospital room's extra bed. I made the trip, saw my my strong, inspiring friend, and her new baby, and...I've been sitting here for 5 minutes trying to think of the words to sum up how I was feeling...I can't.
 |
| Our night on the town, once Ruthie was released from the hospital :) |
In spite of everything they had going on, Ruth and her husband, Paul, still were caring and hospitable towards me...buying me lunch, asking about China...I was blown away by this young couple, and reminded why I am SO BLESSED to have this wonderful Chr*stian friend in my life. Seeing her precious baby boy, 2 months premature, tiny and frail, yet thriving and growing, was one of the strongest demonstrations of G*d's love that I have ever seen.
During my time with Ruth in the hospital, we of course talked for hours, laughed and cried, reminisced and caught up...but, she was a busy, busy patient! Nurses, doctors, specialists, and experts poured in and out of the room constantly during her stay--there weren't 15 minutes that she was left alone, from morning until night. Exhausting for her, but definitely a blessing...she was in HIS hands, through the caring & faithful staff at Mayo. From talking to her, I know Ruthie treasures so many of the nurses who took the time to get to know her personally along with caring for her physically. And, I have no doubt that Ruth & Paul's f@ith in the face of extreme difficulty served as a Chr*stian witness to dozens (hundreds?) of medical staff there.
 |
| I got to be serenaded with Pride & Prejudice soundtrack music, and "Time to Say Goodbye" in the hospital lobby. There was applause--Ruth is as talented as ever. |
For my first visit and sleepover, we mostly hung out in Ruthie's room, with Paul spending the night at the Ronald McDonald House nearby. The staff was able to bring baby John to Ruth's room a couple times daily (he was in the NICU on another floor) and we walked over to visit him as well. Ruth and I did a bit of scrapbooking together, watched some of The Office with Paul, and discussed how blessed we are to share a common f@ith, to know that HE is with us no matter what.
 |
| John Wilde Webber...3 pounds of CUTE! As Paul likes to say: "He's moderately cute." :) |
I got to visit Ruth three more times during my two weeks in America...thanks to HIM, she was released from the hospital after 1 1/2 months, and staying with Paul at the Ronald McDonald House, able to continue her treatment and feeding tube on an out-patient basis. (FYI: The Ronald McDonald House is an incredible organization, worth looking up if it's new to you.) Our time together was just such a gift...Ruth and I got to spend so much quality time with one another--we went to the mall, buying new clothes for her (and matching shirts for ourselves) and even sampling a little ice cream, we did some errands, and visited John lots! I got to help give her tiny son a bath one day...it was darling :) One of my favorite parts of our time was going out for cheesy, scrumptious pizza with Paul, laughing and getting to know him better, and the two of them as couple better (I was in their wedding, but hadn't spent TOO much time with both of them). Even though they're just a bit older than me, I look up to Ruth and Paul in many, many ways.
 |
| Getting bigger and stronger, healthier and even more cuddly! |
Knowing it wouldn't be easy to say goodbye before heading back to China, my mom joined me for my last visit to Ruthie and John...Ruth's two sisters-in-law were there, so it was nice to talk with them a bit too. HE has surrounded her with so much support, caring family & friends! Back here in Wuhan, I'm still thinking about my dear friend on a very regular basis, keeping her in my "thoughts." While I was with her, Ruth sweetly said she admired the things I am doing in China, but what she is doing is one of the most impressive things I've ever seen: battling disease with all her might, staying strong for her precious son, continuing to reach out to everyone around her with Chr*stian kindness, and reminding us all to keep HIM as our true source of strength, joy, and comfort. Ruthie, I love you so much.
 |
| Applebee's with Stephers, Chara, Alex, Alyssa, Alli, and Josh (Abby already left, and Kristine hadn't yet arrived). |
My last day in the U.S., I was so happy to have a quick get-together with some of my very dear WLC friends...I got a table at Applebee's and just smiled constantly as friends came and went--I love you guys! I reluctantly said goodbye to my family, my dad dropped me off at the airport, and before I knew it, I was back in Wuhan once again. In the weeks before coming to visit Ruth, I had considered just ending my contract with school early and staying in the U.S. Even though that was somewhat appealing, and I still wish I could see Ruth on a regular basis, I'm glad that I made a different decision. My heart took me to America to see my beautiful friend, but it took me back to China too. I believe HE still has work for me to do in these remaining couple of months, friendships to strengthen, and other hearts to touch with HIS precious Word. Let's thank our L*rd for all the people, places, and experiences he puts into our lives...for all the opportunities he bestows to serve and thank HIM...for memories and moments that will never leave your heart, no matter where life takes you.
To learn more about my brave, selfless friend, or to make a donation, please check out this website:
No comments:
Post a Comment