Everyday moments

 
I apologize for the lack of updates. Things have begun to settle into much more of a routine as of late. Besides little funny everyday moments, not too much has taken place lately to be worthy to be recorded here.

However, I think the everyday moments are the best.

Like today, I was proposed to in Starbucks.

As I was standing in line this afternoon, mentally rehearsing in my head how to order my iced coffee in Chinese, I was interrupted by the Chinese man behind me in line. He introduced himself and began to talk to me in his limited English.

While shaking my hand, he slyly turned my hand over noticed my purity ring. “Oh, are you married?” He asked. When I said no, his immediate response was, “Will you marry me?”

….don’t worry, Mom and Dad, I said no. (Although I’ve never been opposed to a coffee-shop proposal, this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind… There’s truly never a dull moment here. :)

And last Friday, I learned how to say vomit in Chinese. As the students in one of my classes were lining up, one little girl suddenly bent over and vomited all over the floor….directly in the line of traffic. As I watched this occur in seemly slow motion, I just had to smile. It had been awhile since we have had bodily fluid escape someone….I guess we were due. :)

I quickly erected a little barricade around the vomit with chairs (which, I’ve discovered, is a must….accidents of another kind have happened before and if a barricade is not erected, my kiddos will proceed to jump into whatever bodily fluid is on the floor). And then, I proceeded to lead my kids back to their homeroom.
However, I think the funniest/most humbling part of this experience was me trying to explain the situation to our grandma-like janitor in Chinese…. After quite a bit of language-fumbling and vomit-like imitations from me, thankfully one of my Chinese co-workers stepped in and translated….and also, taught me how to say “vomit” in Chinese. I don’t think I’ll forget that word soon. :) 

But even more than the "I can’t believe that just happened" everyday moments, I love the less-dramatic, seemingly-insignificant, everyday moments like chatting with our new secretary over lunch, painting program sets with our art teacher,  attempting to buy fresh veggies with Taozi at our local farmer’s market, cutting paper and talking about J*s*s with Jenny in the library, and of course, receiving hugs from my students after school….(especially if the student is the same one that was accidentally left behind in your classroom a few hours before…oops. :S).

True, there are everyday moments that make me want to bang my head against a wall (seriously). But He continues to pour out grace. And fill me with His love.

And it is my ardent prayer that in these seemly-insignificant “everyday moments,” His love would be seen through such an unworthy vessel as me.

Thank you for your continued pr*yers, friends! 


title: A small request…
 date: may 8
This past Tuesday evening, I began teaching another English class for company/factory workers. The class has about 20 students, most of whom are girls around my age with very limited English. Although I was a little hesitant to commit to teaching this class (due to the time commitment), I’m very thankful I did. Even though our first class was a little rough, I really enjoyed teaching it this past week. I'm excited to be able to get to know these girls more as the class progresses - especially asking for opportunities to share His hope with them. :)

I would love if you could join me in asking for opportunities to share His love, truth, and hope with the students in this class. Also, I would love if you would request Him to help me to make the most of the time with these ladies in order to get to know them well….and His help in remembering their both Chinese and soon-to-be-given English names! :)

Thank you for your continued faithfulness, friends!