An American Girl in a Chinese World

What to pack? If you have moved before you are aware of the excitement and stress that comes along with it! So far moving hasn't been the biggest stresser. I think what stresses me out is the fact that I am at my house but it no longer looks like or feels like home. The feeling of not having a comfort home is not a good one. I reminds me of a story one of my friends was telling me. It was about a missionary that was once asked about where her home was, since she moved all the time. She explained that through her time as a missionary the Father had shown her, this world never was suppose to be our home. That through moving over and over sharing the word she began to understand that meaning. Her home wasn't a present tangible place on the earth but it was in her heart and an eternal place. I really hope that one day my thought and heart would truly feel that! Packing: I have learned that I am extremely blessed to have material things and friends and family to help! I have l...

When you know you are leaving the country, your family, and everything you have ever known in two weeks, what are you suppose to do? I wish I knew. I feel a little lost, how do I emotionally handle it? I am excited and ready to tackle this adventure. I am not ready on the other hand, to say good-byes. Just thinking about that makes me want to throw up. How am I suppose to know what to pack? What is more special to me: my kitchen plates or my smell good candles? I mean there is just too much to think through at times. I feel like I am forgetting so much! I feel like I tell people I will see them or call them and between me thinking about raising support, thinking about packing, and trying to spend the most time I can with family, I totally forget or can’t make it work. I am sorry if you are one of those people. Stress. I don’t feel stressed I just feel lost. I am sure it is a form of stress but I don’t have time to really figure it all out. I say all of this to be real with you. Am I...

How does someone know the Father has “called” them to something? I have always wondered what people had to do in order for them to be called or spoken to by the creator himself. I figured you had to be a monk or a pastor of some sort.             I remember when Jeremy and I were engaged and in pre-marriage counseling. Our pastor, of course, had to bring up China. This was a topic of so many discussions. Will we go back? (Probably a no) Do you want to go? (Definite no) Do you feel like the father would have you stay here in Evansville? (Yes, that is correct) I was not being “called “ to China. Nor did I feel like that was in my future.             I have always known that the Lord has made my heart special and that I felt as if he was going to do something different through me than an average young adult. I never knew what that was, but always felt that deep inside. After one...

Have you ever tried to cut a two year olds fingernails? Its not the easiest task. My nephew Wes is called Wessy Messy for the obvious reason, that he is a mess! Into everything, not wanting to sit still, and of course finds a way to come back from swimming covered in mud. Just picturing trying to cut his nails makes me grin. Most young girls grow up wanting to paint their nails bright beautiful colors and try to avoid cutting their long nails. So I find it somewhat strange that I somewhat envied those toddlers or girls that had to cut their nails shorter because I haven’t ever had my own nails cut that I can remember.  I am a nail biter. It stinks to have a habit like that. You can’t scratch backs, you hide your hands, and you feel stupid when you have your hand in your mouth chomping away. Ever since high-school I have tried to stop. I have had some successful attempts, but eventually they all get chewed off. The past 3 months I have had fake nails on. I did this to hopefully b...

Have you ever had a moment in your life that you just knew that the father was totally real and listening to your every thought? I realize that dad is real and I know he promises in his word that he hears our every request….but recently I had one of those moments. Picture a beautiful baby girl with bubbles, a waterfall with a sunset, or a bride and groom gazing into each others eyes, these are all sights to behold! Well, I wanted the opportunity to capture those moments not only with my 10 year old camera but a new big camera that took quality photos! As I wandered through best buy and day dreamed about taking pictures of the Great Wall or little Chinese girls I couldn’t help but notice the Huge price tag at every camera I liked. I found one camera in particular that I would really like to have. For weeks I thought about this camera and decided it was ridiculous that I was thinking about a hunk of metal and some mirror pieces that much, so I presented a request to Dad. I told him I ...

Just recently I had gum surgery. For those of you who have experienced any form of mouth discomfort, I am sure you have had the privilege of experiencing numb gums. It’s a strange thing to describe. Your lips feel huge, you can talk but you drool without knowing it, and when you try to eat or drink …well it doesn’t happen smoothly. The interesting part about numb gums, it’s wonderful that you can’t feel the incisions. But, the process of getting there hurts! Those with experience, I am sure you can confirm that shots in the gums is quite possibly the worst shot you have ever received. It’s funny as I go through the process of moving to China. I feel like at times I can totally relate my gum surgery experience to this. In the beginning there was a lot of anxiety with making my decision and actually obeying and following dads call to China, just as I was anxious about surgery. Then came the time I had to tell my family members, co-workers, and friends that I was going to be moving ou...

Once you make a decision to move to China….what do you do next? That is a question that has been consuming my tiny brain for the past 2 months. I am moving to China. Never would have guessed that those words would be able to be put together in one sentence let alone, something I would be saying and actually doing. When in kindergarten on career day my hopes in life were set high when I came dressed in an apron, with a plastic cup taped to one of my mothers cookie sheets. Waiting tables was indeed my dream job. It was something about helping people, serving others, and the fact that you got to write orders down in that little black book, that really inspired me. All throughout my life I have known one thing about myself. I love being able to help others. Some call that a people pleaser, a “yes” person, or someone with a very big heart. I would say all those in some way shape or form, have truth in my life.   The summer of my sophomore year my childhood dream came true. I owned ...