hi friends,
I'm home! As of about a week ago, I am back home in the great U.S. of A. :) I arrived just in time for the fourth of july. :) Its been great to be back home and to be able to reconnect with friends and family. Hopefully, I will be able to reconnect with you all soon if I haven't already!
Once again, I apologize for the severe lack of updates this past semester. :S (Can I blame my lack of posts on China's internet? :) But seriously, let me give you a little insight into these past few months...
This past spring proved to be pretty busy with all our special events in the EK. In addition to that, we had some few
unexpected circumstances affect our community. During all of this, I also needed to decide whether or not I wanted to stay and renew my contract for another school year. This was a fairly big decision for me as it seemed to affect many things and many people. Unfortunately, it consumed quite a bit of my spare time as well (due to praying about it, looking into other opportunities, etc.). And to be honest, I was afraid to post anything about it on here until I was pretty sure in my heart what I would decide.....but unfortunately, I wasn't that sure until just about a month ago. (Apparently I'm not the quickest decision-maker. :)
All that to say, after MUCH prayer, I decided to stay and renew my contract. Although I'm not super excited about the prospect of being so far away from family and friends again, I am
really excited to see what God has in store for me in China this next year. He has granted me some wonderful relationships in China, and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to intentionally invest in them this next year. :)
Anyway, here are a few pictures and a little summary of this past semester. :) enjoy!
100th Day of School
Shortly after arriving back at school after our Chinese New Year holiday, we celebrated the 100th day of school. The kiddos loved it. :) We had special "100th day activities," a special 100th day PE class, a special 100th day snack....and even a special 100th day surprise, haha.
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| Jennifer and I with our homemade 100th Day T-shirts (every student made a shirt with 100 things on it) |
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| writing 100 words |
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| our special surprise - popping 100 balloons after PE class |
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| making a structure out of 100 paper cups |
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| our special snack |
A Special Guest :)
At the beginning of March, my Dad came and visited while on business. It was such a blessing to be able to see him and spend time with him. He was even gracious enough to speak to my kiddos and show them some of his magic tricks. My kiddos are usually pretty easily impressed....but they were especially impressed this time! :)
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| love exploring the streets of BJ with this guy :) |
Church memories
I have just loved the fellowship I've been able to get involved with this year. We've met some really neat friends from all over the world. We have especially enjoyed getting to know Brett and Lyndall, a sweet couple from South Africa.
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| packed house at our fellowship on Easter Sunday |
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| afternoon tea with Brett and Lyndall |
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| morning brunch with Brett and Lyndall and their precious daughter :) |
Monday night fellowship retreat
This spring, our Monday Night Fellowship had the opportunity to take a weekend trip to spend some time fellowshipping, hiking, and learning more about Him together. Such a blessed time. :)
Visit to Taozi's hometown
During one of our holidays this spring, Taozi invited me to join her to go to her hometown with her. It was such a blessing to be back with her family and to spend some quality time with Taozi. Loved the little opportunities He provided to share His light during this time as well!
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| Taozi in her husband's village |
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| the "stove" in a village home |
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| lots of weird shrimp/crawfish things....yes. I did eat them. :) |
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| visiting the beach! |
Mother's Day
Loved Mother's Day this year! We invited our EK moms to come for a special celebration where we honored them with cards, flowers, kind words, and homemade cupcakes!
Cherry picking festival
One of my students invited our EK teachers and families (and their friends) to come to a special Cherry Picking Festival. Loved it.
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| this 83-year old sweetheart invited us into her village home for a quick visit! |
adventures with Jullianne
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| making dinner at Julliane's home |
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| double rainbow = double blessings :) |
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| sharing some of her special hometown rice dumpling with me :) |
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| its moments like this, when I'm cutting up tofu for dinner and placing it in a bamboo basket that I realize that I don't live a typical American life |
life in the EK
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| morning circle time |
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| making special zhongzi - "triangle-shaped rice dumplings" :) |
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| zhongzi |
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| impromptu EK dinner |
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| love these ladies! |
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| last dinner before heading our separate ways this summer |
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| best co-teacher ever! Love Teacher Jackie :) |
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| field trip to the Acrobatics training center |
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| Sports Day (like a field day) |
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| tug of war |
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| silly faces during graduation practice |
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| post-graduation photo |
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| celebrating a year well done! :) congrats EK-2 class of 2014! |
life in yizhuang
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| with my dear friend, Naomie |
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| trip to Tianjin! |
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| trying their special baozi (dumplings) |
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| a little street shopping |
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| got stuck in the rain on our trip home :) |
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| chinese kindergarten bbq with Taozi and her friends |
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| local shopping center....we eat out here semi-often :) |
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| snapshot of our local farmer's market |
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| cantaloupe on a stick! |
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| temple of heaven |
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| making korean kimbap with the roomies :) |
I hope these little snapshots help give you a little fuller glimpse of my life here in China. Thinking back on all the opportunities the Lord has provided this past year, just makes my heart so excited to come back this next fall. He is so faithful! :)
