Good Good Day

Last Monday was a great day. We woke up and headed to class, ok, that part was pretty mundane, nothing too special about that, then we were off to campus to meet students. I was able to talk with a girl for two hours in Chinese. This was really encouraging to me because lately I've been feeling like my language has been stuck at the same level. She was very gracious and willing to explain things different ways if I didn't understand. Her boyfriend told me that China is sad because they are poor, and if they were a richer country they could be a happier people. I was able to share with them that I have much more than money to put my hope in. They told me they were Taoist and that it was the same as what I believe. I shared with them the story of the Good News and then asked them if they still thought it was the same, and they realized it wasn't.
After that I met with a younger sister, who I hadn't seen in a while. She informed me that when she isn't connected with other sisters she is more susceptible to temptation, so we'd better start reading the Good Book together. I always think it's awesome when new believers come to very true conclusions without the intervention of other people.

Next stop - English corner with our American friends, where I found out that we have a new brother!!! Our first volunteer team arrived about two weeks ago and they have been diligently making friends since the moment they got here. That night, two more girls became sisters, plus two more on Friday!! Awesome!!

Anyway I just wanted you to be able to rejoice with us and get a feel for the what the harvest is like in this area. There are lots of people ready to hear we just have to find them. Thanks for your continued pr@yers. Big things are going to happen this summer.

Two-Headed Pancho of Unity

This was our wedding gift to Al and Jen. The bike Pancho is the only way to get around the city when it's raining (which is like every day). When we first moved here we kinda thought they were dumb and really nerdy. After a few days of coming home drenched our pride and our fashion sense gave in. Turns out they work amazingly. The sweet visors keep the rain out of your face and the fronts are extra long so they can clip onto your bike basket and keep your stuff and your legs from getting wet. Amazing. This particular item being modeled below is a two person electric-bike Pancho. Great for those rainy nights when you want to take your lady-friend out on the town.

Smoke Monster vs. Aqua Man

When we were home we went on a double date with Alex and Jen before the wedding. At Macaroni Grill you get to draw on the table, so we decided to play a game that some of my kiddo's at work made up when they were bored one day. Made-up games resulting from boredom are always the best games.

Rules:
Draw a line across the middle of the paper. Each team has a given amount of time to draw as many offensive and defensive things as they can on their side of the paper. For example, we drew the death star, and sharks with lazer beams on their heads, and our opponents drew the smoke monster from LOST and swine flu. When time is up you battle. You can use any of your things to take out any of their things, but each thing can only be used once. The last one standing wins. The exchange has to be realistic though. It would be impossible for Aqua-man to take out the death star, but Aqua-man could be bribed by Bill Gates to not attack. Caution: Heated discussion may arise about whether or not the transaction is fair. Do not play this game if you are pregnant, may become pregnant or have a history of heart disease.

America

A few of you may know that we recently took a quick trip home to America for my little brother's wedding. (Apologies to all our friends who we didn't get to see or didn't even know we were within the 48 contiguous states) We were only there for a week, travel and wedding events included.

When we got on the plane, none of our siblings had any "romantic prospects" and we were prepared to be in-country for a full two years at the very least. When we found out we had been cleared to come home for a visit I had mixed emotions. Of course I was happy. It would be a total bum if we'd have missed Al's wedding, but I also kinda felt gypped. It felt like all that crying I did about being gone for two years was kinda wasted, you know? For a girl, I'm not much of a crier, but before we left I put in some serious time - all for what?? 6 months??!!! That's only a quarter of our time here which means I could have saved my self 3/4 of my total cry time. I could have been so much more productive! Ok, you're right. We all know I'm not really that productive in general, but just think of how I could have improved my Solitaire game with that time. Sigh.

We have been here 6ish months now and we are finally feelin pretty settled here. When I found out that we were going home I was a little worried that I'd have a relapse of homesickness, but Father took care of me. It seemed like there was potential for everything to go emotionally awry*, but it just...didn't. Don't you love it when that happens? The wedding went great - one of Mike's best I'd say, we got to do some shopping, and hang out with the fam. And we jumped back into the flow of China life smoothly. We even felt really prepared for the summer team to come. Woot.

Ok, one funny story from the wedding. Picture this. Wedding reception. Hickory Hall complete with neon palm tree. Mike and I are in a dance circle with his parents, my mom, and my aunt and uncle, a pretty happening group. Mike's dad, while busting a serious move says "Man, this is great we need to get this song" in reference to "Ice Ice Baby." I don't know, it made us laugh.

*awry is very difficult to spell, I was even beyond the reach of spell check.

Birds, Flowers, and Fire

Last week on a beautiful sunny morning I headed out on my bike to explore the city. I ride through this intersection on a daily basis, but on this particular day I found this. That's right, a man and his scooter parked next to a pile of black goo...that was on fire. In China I am often confronted with situations in which I don't know how to respond, so I did what I usually do and try to react like everyone else. The guy next to me didn't even seem to notice the intersection fire so I just kept on pedaling.

Here's a few pics from the rest of my ride.

chair salesman parked outside our gate

The bird and flower market