The Time of Thankfulness

It finally happened- the moment where I truly felt I was celebrating the holidays with family. I was standing in our large school cafeteria- surrounded by kids running and screaming all over the place, parents happily munching on holiday treats and chatting up storms, and the smell of apple cider drifting towards me. "This is it", I thought to myself, "This is what I so badly wanted to feel this 1st holiday away from the familiar". The closeness of friends being together, laughing and sharing life's up-and-downs, and the joy of sharing the holidays with those who HE has brought us to be with. In the week leading up to Thanksgiving I wondered if I would truly "feel" as if I was celebrating the holidays or if it would end up being just a lesser substitute for what I had left behind, but HE gave me just the right moment to realize that I can and will still enjoy these special holiday times, no matter where HE takes us!
And that is what I am most THANKFUL for. :)

Test day!

So today was the big test day! I took my very 1st chinese exam that covered the 1st book that I have been studying for the last 3 months. I was kinda nervous going into it and not quite sure what to expect but lo and behold- these things are never as scary as you think they will be. The written part of the test took about an hour and a half and the speaking and listening only took about half a hour. It's amazing as I look back over the lessons that first had me ready to cry and now I breeze over them with ease. Sometimes you just don't realize how far you've come, until you look back :)

Studying hard in China,
me

New Experiences

YAY! Finally made it to our new home after a looong 2 flights and layover in Seoul. We got to our new apartment and started the unpacking which means now that items are strewn EVERYWHERE and its practically impossible to find anything when you actually need it! :-P (only 10 left to put away!)

So some new things we are learning about living here:
1. its HOT...temperature has been over 100 degrees so far and this Wisconsin girl has been sweating buckets daily :-P
2. Pedestrians do not have the right-of-way. When you cross the road- you simply HOPE to make it to the other side in one piece :)
3. The people are very curious and friendly- already we have gotten lots of looks and smiles as we try to wander around and find things!
4. Food is soo tasty- the real deal Chinese food is amazing and we have been eating tons of it!

We are so glad to be here and start adjusting and acclimating to this exciting new place!

Visa madness

Well, it only took about 4 hours, a few sodas, and some hair-pulling to finally get all our visa info in the mail. We should get it back mid-late next week and then can buy our plane tickets!! Hooray!
At this point, I will be happy to simply make it to Northern Asia in one piece. :-P

Jumping

It’s a hot day and I’m standing on the edge of the highdive jumping board, looking way down into the pool. My heart is racing, my breath is coming in gasps and I feel slightly lightheaded thinking of taking this jump. What will happen when I jump? Will I bellyflop or cause a big splash? Will I sink or will I swim? “AAH- the unknown can be nervewracking!” 

This is exactly the way I feel as I think about leaving for China- excited, nervous, unsure, slightly nauseated...how will i land this jump? WIll I hit the ground running or will I hit a brick wall? Will I become a natural or will I stick out like a sore thumb?

However, out of all my questions and uncertanties, this I know for sure- Father has called us and we have a job to do! He has prepared us in advance for the good works He has called us to do!

Things to think of for us:

*Safety for us and our luggage to make it all the way to Xian.

*Smooth transition into our new life

*Favor and leading on the summer project we get to be a part of from July 15-August 7th where we will be teaching english in villages

Getting started

Alrighty- time to get this blog up and running!
Take 1...here we go