"Shi de, Wo Xin." ("Yes, I believe.")

"The Word of G*d is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow--it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)

   Even before leaving China, I already know two of the moments I'll prize the most--simple yet powerful moments I'll never forget. Before each of their b@ptisms, I heard Sophia and Taylor each confess, "Shi de, wo xin." That they are sinners...that J*sus is their S@vior...that G*d has worked and planned out their own s@lvation. Yes, they believe. Two close Chinese friends who have become confidants and fellow b*lievers...friends I've seen transform as HE has become part of their lives. Friends who serve as a testimony to how powerful the LIVING and ACTIVE Word is!

   If you're a regular reader of my blog, then you've already heard lots and lots about Sophia, one of my closest Chinese friends, a fellow teacher at my school last year. I liked her instantly in our first day together, and within our first hour or so of conversation, she told me lots about the Chinese sp*ritual customs and traditions her family practiced. A little over a year later, through B*ble studies, ch*rch, and a lot of individual reading time in His Word, our L*rd has brought her to f@ith and the waters of b@ptism. Last Sunday at ch*rch, she joined in a small pr@yer circle, pr@ying for another American teacher. She also has told me that she wants her wedding next year to have a Chr*stian aspect, something very rare for a Chinese wedding. Her husband is pretty uninterested in HIM at this point, but Sophia continues to invite him along, showing how important her f@ith has become!

Sophia, myself, and Andrea after her "washing."

   Taylor Taylor Taylor...months before I ever met this guy last spring, I felt like I already knew all about him, from my American friends Andrea and Jess, who were close to him and talked with him often. I had heard he was friendly, great at English, funny, and...definitely prone to saying a lot of inappropriate, crude things. When I got to know him personally, I loved his personality and always had a blast with him, but noticed what others had mentioned--Taylor was coming to B*ble studies, but hadn't embraced HIM or a Chr*stian life. He once said, "I think it is better to be bad than to be boring," which summed up his philosophy on life pretty well, I think. But, while I'd be lying if I said he'd become completely perfect (of course, we all fall far short), I have seen a dramatic transformation in the things he talks about, and the kind of person he wants to be. We were pretty discouraged a year ago, when Taylor moved away from Wuhan, just when he seemed to be genuinely interested in Studies and HIM. But, G*d in his providence, gave Taylor a new boss in his new city who is Chr*stian, who serves as a mentor and encourager...they pr@y and attend ch*rch together, and when Taylor visited Wuhan two weeks ago, I got to be there as he became a b@ptized part of HIS family. Taylor brought along his cousin, new to the B*ble, and explained the basics to her, telling us he hoped to tell her and his family more about HIM, that they too may b*lieve!

Myself, Taylor's cousin, Taylor, Jess, Andrea, and Shannon (our visiting FoC leader) after Taylor's "washing."

   HE gives us so many opportunities! Another time that I won't soon forget was our B*ble Study last night, where we had one of our biggest groups ever--13 Chinese guests, and 4 foreigners. We almost ran out of room to sit, and had to share B*bles (two of which were given away to new attendees). Of the group, 4 or 5 are Chr*stian, a couple are strongly interested, and many are still very new to the "Book" and the idea of a gracious G*d. Johnny, Bob, and Christina have been strong Chr*stians for many years. Lilihua seems to b*lieve, but her English level is low, so we don't really know. Sunny, who attended for the first time, and Angel, have attended ch*rches elsewhere in the past. Bonnie & Catherine recently asked us about b@ptism, but are very new to the B*ble. They brought along their friend Jaydee, who says he came to f@ith after attending ch*rch in Australia (where he used to live), but it seems lots is new to him too! Jess comes often and asks great questions, but I can't tell how much of it is interest in the B*ble and how much is just interest in practicing English. Gen has come quite frequently this semester, and brought her new friend Candy, just getting introduced to the Book like she is--Gen said she'll bring her back again! Finally, my new friend Nancy showed up for the first time. She came to ch*rch with me once, but says she is Buddh*st. Explaining basic concepts to her, and hearing her answer Brian's question with "G*d saves us," was a great way to spend the night. Here, just because we're foreigners who can help friends practice English, HE has given us such a wide range of friends, old and new, b*lieving and curious, to share his most precious message with. Sometimes I just need to take a step back and let it soak all in, that our gracious L*rd gives a sinner like me the chance to speak the G*spel to so many friends, to do such exciting, meaningful, and important work, and to encourage friends to get to know HIM better.

Dinner with Gen, Kelsey, and Stephanie.

We are so blessed. I will never forget this experience.

"My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of G*d, namely, Chr*st, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (C*lossians 2:2-3)

Please keep on pr@ying that this happens for all our friends here in Wuhan <3

小朋友们 (Xiao Pengyoumen)...Little Friends :)

"Wo shi ying yu lao shi zai Jing Bo Chang Qing You Er Yuan. Wo de xue sheng hen xiao le he hen ke ai de!" (I'm an English teacher at JingBo ChangQing Kindergarten. My students are very small & very cute). As botched and mispronounced as that statement probably is with my Chinese, it's my standard response when people ask me why I'm in Wuhan, and what I do in China :)

This little goober (said very endearingly) likes running in place enthusiastically every morning when I say hello to him, because I do it back, and he thinks it's funny :)

Because I don't really blog too much about my day job, and primarily because I couldn't wait to post these cute pics anymore, please enjoy a glimpse into my kindergarten, the people and situations I will miss dearly, and the other stuff I can't wait to get away from ;)

"Cherry," from my "big class," is always super-smiley and attentive in class. Model student!

I will miss: greeting my students and their parents in the morning. Even though I think it's kind of lame that I need to stand there so everyone can see their foreign teacher, it's fun to see the kids ranging from excitement to shyness early in the morning. It's very common in China for grandparents to take an active role in raising children, so about half of our students are taken to school by grandma or grandpa.

I must confess, I was caught under this cutie's spell pretty quickly, and within the first week decided that his mom probably wouldn't miss him that much if I took him to America with me ;)

I will NOT miss: the early hours. Maybe it's not that extreme by American standards, but my 6:45 wake-up and starting each school day at 8 isn't exactly standard for foreigners teaching in China. However, while it's kind of annoying having to take a long bus ride (40 minutes), it does help me wake up before teaching.

Students from my "middle class," seemingly being their rambunctious,  goofy selves.

I will miss: the boundless energy of the kiddies. When they get really into a lesson, shout out song requests, or learn something new, it is a great feeling.

I always get a bit nervous for teaching this "biggest class," cuz it's a larger group and they're old enough to tell when I have no idea what I'm doing. But, they are great kids, starting to develop their own personalities at ages 5 and 6. I bond the most with them, in very basic English or Chinese.

I will not miss: the tense relationship with my supervisor/English translator. I could go on and on about her (in fact, I do to some friends, and have a "venting page" on Microsoft Word for when I'm really frustrated), and maybe someday I'll write about specific instances. But, for now let's just say, G0d must REALLY want me to learn patience this year!

Tina and Bluke are quite good at melting my heart when I feel angry--a secret power they possess!

I will miss: making classes laugh. There's no feeling quite like getting 20 or 30 kids from a different country to laugh, and acting like a total goofball with them. They enjoy the voices and facial expressions I occasionally bust out, and singing song comically quickly. They always shout out "kuai idian!" ("a little quickly") when we sing their favorite songs.

My "big class" is one of my harder groups to control. I have to choose the right moments to bust out the humor, because there is a delicate balance in this class between boredom and insanity :p

I will not miss: the out-of-control teaching classes, with little teacher help. Now, I will say it's gotten much better...and I've also probably gotten much more used to it as well. But, there have been plenty of times where the Chinese teacher in the room with me (as promised) will duck out to do other things. The kids are left with someone who can barely speak any of their language, who clearly has no authority, and only sees them about 20 minutes a day. Chaos ensues. Each classroom has 1 head teacher, and at least 2 assistant teachers, so I have a hard time understanding why there can't always be at least one helper in the room with me and the students :/

My "mango class" was added to my responsibilities second semester. At first I was annoyed about the extra class, especially since they're just two years old. But, as it turns out, they have learned a little bit, and are stinkin' adorable :)

I will miss: Joy. This teacher has been my hero at school, my friend and helper, many times. Her English is far and away the best of the teachers (lots can't speak any), this is also her first year at this school (she's my age), and she's sweet. She's always very helpful when I teach her "Strawberry Class," and has helped me negotiate with the administration here, when my supervisor has been less-than-helpful. She got the school to give me the day off when I had a really sore throat, she keeps me informed about changes in schedule and vacation days (my supervisor just tells me at the last possible minute), and talks to the principal if I have any requests. She came along to ch*rch with me once, and my f@ith occasionally comes up in conversation, but I still hope to reach out to her more, even if it's when I'm back on the other side of the world.

The camera made me extra fascinating the day I brought it to school with me :)

I will not miss: the way children are often treated here. Not everyone here is this way, but I've seen plenty of teachers slap and scream at their students, drag them around by their clothes, and even threaten to cut their faces with scissors (by putting them close to the kids' faces). Sometimes it's when the kids misbehave, but sometimes it's just for getting an answer wrong :( It's hard to watch, wanting to step in and stop it, but it's pretty common for China. One of the many things that wouldn't fly in the U.S....just like when my "Mango Class" has bathroom breaks by passing around a big red bucket while they're sitting all together in the same room. Yes, really. Oh, and there are also shared, open, unisex bathrooms that the students all use together!

Sadly, I only see these darlings twice a week--they're one of my fave groups to teach! They're old enough to pay attention, young enough to lack "attitudes," and for some reason they think I'm pretty entertaining.

I will miss: my short days and off days. Okay, maybe this one is kind of cheating, but I will probably NEVER have such an awesome job perk again...even though my teaching schedule is heavier than lots of foreign teachers in China, I get Wednesdays free, and finish class by 11 a.m. on Thursdays & Fridays, giving me lots of time to relax, take care of my own stuff, and most importantly focus on the REAL reason we are here.

What a little doll! Also, notice how early the peace sign (or, as Chinese people use it, a "Victory" sign) is introduced into children's lives here ;)

I will NOT miss: My two long days. Mondays & Tuesdays I leave home around 7:15 a.m. and get back around 6 p.m. I know that isn't completely uncommon for an American to have a schedule like that, but it's quite draining when you take into account the long & crowded bus rides, communicating largely in simple English or broken Chinese, dealing with a frustrating supervisor, and teaching about 250 "xiao pengyoumen" in one day. There's a stretch of about 3 hours where I just sit around in the school office trying to keep busy, but often end up feeling lonely, surrounded by people speaking Chinese and missing home. So much time to think isn't always a spectacular thing! Plus on Mondays, I come home, and have an hour before B*ble Study starts up. A wonderful way to spend the evening, of course, just not much downtime inbetween.

The Cherry Class! They give the best hugs :)

I will miss: getting "attacked with love" by my youngest students. I don't know exactly when/how this started, but in my three smallest classes, the second I say "goodbye" to finish my lesson, most of the students RUN up to me, sitting on my dinky chair (the same size of theirs), and like, mob me with hugs, high fives, and occasionally kisses. It's really just, I don't know how to describe it...one of the most heart-melting things I've ever experiences...precious kiddies just wanting to touch my face, staring at me with adoration, hearing them say they've missed me, they like me, or they love me. Most readers probably know I'm a pretty affectionate person, and I just eat it all up. But, it's also occasionally terrifying...I already worry my tiny chair will buckle under my American-esque weight, and then 20 tiny attackers RUSH up, and usually end up pushing me and my chair back...and they can be quite enthused in their making sure each one of them gets a hug, even if it means pushing each other out of the way!

Dimples!

 I will not miss: oftentimes feeling like the work I'm doing is meaningless. I know teaching English is my gateway into the country, and I am indeed grateful for that. But, last year, I got to talk with lots of middle-schoolers with excellent English, teaching them about culture, language, and even occasionally r*ligion. Outside of class, we formed kind of "cousinly" relationships and discussed a wide variety of things. So, comparatively speaking, teaching children how to say "ball" and "yoyo," and singing London Bridge doesn't really make me feel I'm altering the world in a drastic way. But, it's also less pressure too, which I like ;)

The Strawberry Class!

I will miss: my Russian friend, Yulia. Julie (me) and Julia (her English name) have become fast friends, as basically the only two foreigners associated with my crazy school. Yulia has lived in China for over 12 years now, married a Chinese man, and speaks Chinese (and English) fluently. She has an 11-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old son (one of my students). Early in the year she was dropping off her son, and we obviously knew "two of these things were not like the others," and we ended up having long talks when she'd drop off/pick up her son in the mornings and nights. Yulia's had me over at her nearby home for dinner a couple times, and quite frequently for tea. She cooks delicious mixes of Russian and Chinese food, her house is huge and gorgeous, and we always end up talking each others' ears off and laughing a lot. Having her occasional presence at my school has been a HUGE gift from G*d, not making me feel so lonely. She gets where I'm coming from when I complain about things (she was a foreign kindergarten teacher once too) and makes me laugh a lot. Yulia's daughter looks more Chinese and her son looks more Russian, but both are beautiful--and her daughter is already fluent in Chinese, Russian AND English. This is simply an amazing person and friend I've gotten to know through my school.

Clamoring for attention--this class is an example of "monkey see, monkey do." At first they might be a bit shy with me, but once one of them approaches me, they ALL run up!

I will not miss: being treated like an animal at the zoo/a child. In my long days at school, I try to always keep my headphones on, at the computer, because I am soooo tired of people talking about me right in front of me, especially the principal. I mean, it's often positive (Julie has pretty earrings today, Julie is thinner than before, etc.) but that doesn't change how uncomfortable it makes me feel, especially when I can't understand. The principal probably means well, but I dread when she walks into our office and wanders over to my spot, smiling creepily at me, saying my name and then giggling with the other teachers about something or another. Argh--so annoying. Tired of being under that kind of microscope, where everything I do is under scrutiny, seen as "cute," "childish," or "strange" just because I'm a foreigner :/ 

Cuddle time! The boy on the left is new, so I'm still getting to know him, but the boy on the right is so smart, energetic, sweet, and naughty! Love that kid!

I will miss: the little things.The bus rides are long, but I'm so happy my parents gave me an ipod...lots of quality time with my music is really a huge "pro" to the transportation "con." There's a really nice park next to my school, so sometimes on my lunch breaks I'll get some exercise and enjoy the break from the school office. There's a mini-school bus that comes every morning, and if I'm around, I usually help "unload" the kids, and they each have their own ritual for greeting me. One girl always makes tiger claws and we "attack" each other, one always wants me to help put on her backpack and lift her into the air, one boy always smiles the sweetest smile I've ever seen, and two older students always hug me and say "Mommy! Mommy!" :D

Candy with Joy, my favorite teacher and friend!

I will also miss: the nice teachers and assistants at the school. One of the "older" teachers (she's just middle-aged, but most there are in their twenties) really made an effort with me early on, welcoming me, telling me about her family and asking about mine (Grandpa, this is the lady who says you're handsome)! She's sweet, complimentary, and genuine, always making me feel better. There are several other kind teachers as well, but we can't communicate too much, which is sad, but I at least think we have good feelings toward each other :) And there are two middle-aged classroom helpers who I just love--they are always saying nice things, testing my Chinese without making me feel nervous, and either offering to set me up with a Chinese guy, or asking me to set them up with an American guy ;) We also have a new guard who mans the school gate...everyone calls him "yeye" (Grandpa) and he is a cute old man--he always says "Nice to see you" very slowly and sweetly to me when I walk through the gate in the morning.

I shall also miss all the pretty dresses these little girls wear!

In the end, being here isn't really about the teaching. Early on, when I absolutely hated this school, my parents were a huge encouragement to me, reminding me why we are REALLY here, and making sure I didn't let it ruin my experience as a whole. My friend Tracy, an education major and full-blown teacher in America recently gave me the advice to keep track of the middle moments that make me smile in my job every day, no matter how frustrating it may be. In general, I thank HIM for the strength to endure when it's rough, and for the joy in the little moments--and big--along the way!