A knock at the door

Here, a knock at my door can mean many things.  Maybe someone has a question or wants to borrow something.  Often people just want to hang out and talk.  Sometimes people have adventures planned that you are to be part of.  Tonight a new reason cam into existence.  A knock at the door was to tell me that the police would be here soon about registration and I would need to talk to them.  It's China and things like this happen, so I just waited about 5 minutes for the next knock at my door.  Outside was Eric, one of our Chinese staff, along with about 8 Chinese police officers.  A few of them had their cameras and took pictures as I grabbed my passport to show them, they handed me a piece of pink paper reminding people about registering at the police station, and joked with me about wanting to teach me Chinese while I could teach them English.  5 minutes later they were gone, and I have another story to add to my What Happened in China list.

Why I am here

Days like today remind me why I am in China in the first place.  I was at lunch talking with a few students, something I have done far too little of this session, and of course their favorite question came up, do you have a boyfriend?  My reply is no, but then often they ask why I don't or what am I looking for in a boyfriend.  This is one of my favorite questions because I am able to tell the students that the most important trait in a boyfriend for me is that he is a Christian.  This often opens up more questions about Christianity, as it did at lunch today.  And this is exactly why I love my job :)

one year...

One year ago if you were to tell me that I would be in a country other than America long enough to have a year anniversary I would have laughed in your face.  That shows you how much I knew of God's plans for me a year ago because today marks the one year anniversary of the date I arrived in China.

A year ago I boarded a plane into the unknown.  I arrived in China and tentatively looked at the lines of people waiting at the airport for a piece of paper with my name on it, not knowing anything about the people who would pick me up, and knowing less about what would happen next.  

One year later this place of complete unknown has become home and the people have become family.  I had no idea what I was getting myself into coming here, but luckily God knew exactly what He was getting me into.  I am so thankful for everything that has happened, all of the ups and downs, times of tears and times of laughter, and the countless blessing that I have received the past year. 

As I look to the next year I have no idea what is to come.  I keep coming back to what I said before I came to China, I don't know how I will change and grow, but I know I will.  I don't know what the future holds but I am thankful for being in this place now, and while I am here I will do all I can to serve God and bring Him the glory that is deserved.

Thank you soooo much for you love, prayers, and support over the past year and your continued love, support, and prayers for this coming year.  I appreciate it more than I could ever say.

Fragrant Hills...which is more mountain than hill

Last week one of the summer staff that was staying a little longer and a new yearlonger and I decided we would go on a trip to the Fragrant Hills Park, which is about an hour away from campus by bus.   This was a former villa getaway for the emperors and once you reach the top incredible views of the city and countryside await.  There are two options for getting to the top, you can hike or you can pay about 30 yuan for a cable car to the top.  We were advised before going to take the cable car up and then hike down, but we were all ready for an adventure and a workout, so we decided to hike it all the way.  After the hike up we could see why this suggestion was made...but also felt that it was so worth it!

half way up we were still excited...that changed the closer we got to the top, and the more tired we got, but we finally made it to the top!

this baby was placed in my lap...only in China :)

All in all it was such a fun day to hang out in Gods creation with some pretty great people.  I'm looking forward to going back in the fall when all of the leaves are changing colors...maybe then I'll ride the cable car up :)