Unexpected tears

What brings you to tears? A good movie? A wedding? A touching story on tv? A birth? A washing? How about a confrmation? Last week I witnessed the most touching confrmation I've ever seen. 

I don't know her story, but I do know she has been touched by HIS love. Victoria was standing in front of chch last week to tell us what she believes. She started saying the apstles creed and she lost it. She was lost in the love the Father has lavished on her. She couldn't speak, she was crying. Tears of joy overwhelmed her. The emotion she showed soon spread to the group. We were fighting back tears, tears of joy for this once lost girl. 

I've never cried at a confrmation before, but last week I was close. Thank HIM for loving us all so much, he gives us a reason for tears of joy. 

Another round of History and Culture tests!

Here are the gems my students wrote for my last History and Culture tests. Wow, they take a while to correct, but when I get things like this, it makes it worth it :)

1. Easter is a festival in memory with the rebirth of chris.

In acient Rome, Chris was betraded by his student Yoda, a Jewish, and captured by the Rome soiders, who nailed Chris on the cross then. People hided the body of Jesus in a cave. Three days after, people found that the Jes-s body had gone, which indicates the rebirth of Jes-s. Gradually, the E-ster became a holiday of celebrating the advent of spring and the return of good things.

2. Chr.stmas: Long time ago, a child’s grandpa usually send gifts to other children, after the grandpa died, the boy always wanted to find where his grandpa was. And he left the town, before the December 25^th, an old man rode a track, and many presents with him, the old man took the boy and sent children gifts. Then the second day, just December 25^th became the new day, people called Chr.istmas.

3. In Christmas, every family will decorate a tree with different things to make it more bueatiful which called Satan tree…

4. GCSE- correct answer-General Certificate of Secondary Education- given answer-Geographic Classic Selective Emotion. I told them if they didn't know the answer to guess, that they might guess correctly, this was a poor guess :)

The support

An hour after writing the last blog about all the changes, received a call from one of our Chinese "leaders" he asked about when I plan to move. He told me that he and the "group" could help. He mentioned twice, "Jessica, don't hesitate to ask if you need anything."

That's the support I have here. I know you would hope to get that no matter what Chrch you are at, but it's extra special coming from people in a different country. People who outwardly have very little in common, but inwardly you are the same... sinners, sorry, and saved. :)

A New Life

I know I have been really bad updating you recently. I've been busy teaching, "studying", and preparing for my new life. This year of Foc is almost done, that means some current teachers will be returning to America and not return to China in the fall. My life will be very very different next year. I'm excited about it, but also very nervous. Here are my changes

1. Biggest change- Nicole got an assignment to teach Math at the WELS High School in New Ulm. I'm so excited for her to start this part of her life, but sad that she won't be here with me in China next year. She has been such a huge part of my life here and it will be quite the adjustment to not have her around next year. I am so thankful for the past three years we had together. There are so many good memories.

2. Getting a new guy! Replacing  Nicole next year will be a guy by the name of Dan. We are still looking for a job for him, but he will live near David, Andy, and me. This means, three boys and me! Fun times, I'm sure. However, no girl... interesting I'm sure!

3. Moving!  My school is making me move. So, I had the choice of moving in the provided apartments, or find one on my own. I decided to find one on my own. I will live with Leona, a Chinese friend. We just signed a contract for a new apartment. It's located right next to a big bus stop and about a seven minute walk to the subway. So, it will be convenient to get around. However, it's very very old. Not nearly as nice as my current place. But, with a little love, we will make it a beautiful home.

I think three changes are enough for now :) I'm very thankful for all the blessing I have here in China. Please keep my in your "thoughts" as I adjust to the new life I will have here in Wuhan. Change can be good, but can also be very hard. I teach my students about the joys of change in one's life, how you can expand your comfort circle... I have to take my own advice now!

Here are a few pictures of my place, I'll get more soon as we move things in.

My entryway

The kitchen- about three times the size of my old one!

Bathroom- about half the size of my old one :(

The living room- this closet might become mine

My room!

The second room- maybe my roommate's. There is also a third room, which is much smaller

More details

My sister said she wanted more details about adopting the boy. Here you go! But, if you want another first hand account, I highly recommend the parent's blog- http://wewilllovetheleastofthese.blogspot.com/

We arrived at the place around 2:30, that's when we were supposed to pick up Josiah. Well, apparently he was going to be late, he was stuck in traffic. Not surprised. :) We waited in this huge room, there were about 8 other families who were getting their children. I saw about 4 brought out as I was there, and others were playing with them which tells me they just recently got their children. Basically, they hide out in this one room, then at a random decided time they bring the child out and hand him/her over to the mother. And then the mom gets her first experience with holding her new child. After a few minutes, the caretaker comes over talks about the child, however, we kinda assume they say the same thing about each child, since they give very standard answers and what they say doesn't always happen once they bring the child home.

Then, they take a picture with the family and caregiver, and it's done. However, I didn't mention that at random times there are tears from all parties involved. :) Even those, like me, that are not involved.

I loved being there with the family, it was so great to see!

Guangzhou

I had the privileged of going to Guangzhou this weekend and being with some American friends as they adopted their little boy. It was amazing! The things I get to experience in China are so random and so life-changing.

I met this family when I worked in Kansas about 4 years ago in the summer. At that time they had 4 adopted kids. Two from China and two from America. Since then they adopted one more from America. Now, they were adding two more to their family to make it a total of 7 kids. I got to be there as they met number 7! I don't usually cry in public, but this almost brought me to tears. To see children that are abandoned for a variety of reasons, some for very small "problems" on their body (Chinese want a 'perfect' child), being placed into a loving home, is awesome. I was the photographer and even though I took a ton of pictures, I still couldn't capture the feeling of the room.

Their "littles" ages 3, 18 months, and 3 1/2

look at that amazing face!

the whole family

It took him a little time, but we got some smiles!

Catching up

Wanna write a big blog to catch you all up on my life, but I just don't have time right now. This weekend I'm going to Guangzhou to meet a family I worked with in Kansas for a summer. They are adopting two little Chinese kids and I get to be there for one of the adoptions! I'm super excited to see them. They brought me some fun things from America so it will be an extra special treat. Before and after this trip I'm busy making up rescheduled classes. It's amazing how missing just a few days will put you completely behind...

I need to try to sleep... I hope your enjoying the spring! It's summer in Wuhan! hit 90 today!