Praise Him in the Dance

I know, I know! I will tell you now what I tell each of my friends as I try desperately to redeem myself...I am the world's worst long distance communicator! Ask my mother, she can vouch for that with the numerous voicemails requesting my response to no avail; hopefully she reads this blog before dialing the embassies...

Well, a lot has happened in the month since I last updated you all. Teaching is surprisingly great! I am teaching 5 different classes, most of them oral English for majors. My students are a blast, they are sweet and so eager (for the most part, there are always the sleepers in the back, but I try not to turn that into a personal affront!). We have covered American politics, movies, media, etc. We actually have a lot of freedom to teach our students about American culture, along with the actual English speaking. Today we turned out the lights, lit some jack-o-lanterns and introduced the Chinese to "A Telltale Heart" in honor of All Hallow's Eve. I try to start each class with an American Song, so classics like "America", "Hotel California", "Hey Jude" are a must. I even let my freshman bully me into singing for them and teaching "My Girl". They are shameless and so darn adorable! I am putty, but happy to be so! I've enjoyed the outside of class time with my students just as much. They are just thrilled every time they get to use their English; so there are lots of movie nights, pizza parties, sports times...anything that we can do together. Check out the album below to see bits and pieces of my life in Chiner!

Settling into Life: http://lcu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008853&l=20936&id=160200020

I have been enjoying my days off as much as my days on! Early in September I took a weekend trip to visit the team and family in Danjangkuo. Danjangkuo is also the home of a world famous dam (D-A-M, as Wind would emphasize) that is supposedly the instigator of the largest water reservoir in the world. And of course, the vacation of all vacations: National Holiday in Beijing! I hit the capital city with Rusty, Brittany and Sarah, as well as two Chinese students. We saw EVERYTHING! We danced on the Great Wall (Yeah for promises kept, Sarah!), so according to Chairman Mao, I am now officially Chinese! We explored the Ming Tombs and The Forbidden City, which actually IS a city in the midst of Beijing. We hit Tiananmen Square at night and posed as the token foreigner for a million pictures. We did the Summer Palace, built cause one city wasn't enough for the Emperor's satisfaction. But I am glad for his excessiveness, it was the most beautiful place I have ever been! Beihai Park was a wonderful place of rest in the middle of a crazy busy city, but by far and away the Temple of Heaven was the best entertainment we had! We got to the gate by 7:00 am to watch the elderly community participate in Tai Chi, Fan Dancing and Kung Fu. The nightlife, the shopping, the STARBUCKS COFFEE!!! Most of my pictures are dedicated to my travels there and they speak far more eloquent words than I ever could. Please check them out!

Beijing Part 1: http://lcu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008693&l=9889a&id=160200020
Beijing Part 2: http://lcu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008694&l=fa02d&id=160200020
Beijing Part 3: http://lcu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008695&l=a0147&id=160200020
Beijing Part 4: http://lcu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008696&l=c3689&id=160200020
Beijing Part 5: http://lcu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008697&l=64f6a&id=160200020

Well, teaching and traveling is one thing, but there are more important aspects to address concerning my life here. The family here is such an unspeakable blessing. I am amazed by them everyday. The foreigners have such individual personalities, with their own spiritual blessings, struggles and comedic genius. Its incredible to be in such a unique place in life, but to have so many people right there with you. And the family members are phenomenal. I am learning more from their innocent wonder and thirst for knowledge than I could have imagined. In fact, I am speechless to express how I feel when I think about what is happening here. He is amazing, what else can I say?

Of course, along with all the good comes the same old struggles. There is so much good happening here that the devil cannot stay away. I am under constant watch and attack. The same insecurities and lack of discipline that plagued me in America had no problem making the journey across the ocean with me. I have days when I am completely lost, and am constantly searching for answers to the millions questions surrounding my purpose and my future. Having so much time to breathe and experience peace has also opened my heart up to more invasion. I'll be honest, its hard. Everyday is a beautiful disaster on the inside, that is for certain. But I am so grateful for each minute of refinement. I'll Praise Him in the Dance, right? And I will take advantage of this time to discover who I am. I guess China has found me extremely introspective, and I am searching very hard for my identity as His Child. I find it almost ironic, I knew that I would find myself at college, but it is becoming obvious to me that it will be much more so as professor than student!

So all in all, I am really well. All of you who are worrying, don't! All of you who are lifting me up, keep doing so! I am always aware of the covering of love over me. I would love to hear from all of you: emails (jessica.boffey@yahoo.com), phone calls (1-360-566-2881), letters (email me for an address if you don't have it already), smoke signals, Morse code, Pony Express! I miss you all...please don't take my horrific lack of communication as an indication otherwise! You are in my heart, on my mind, and the constant subject of my talks with my Abba.

GWG ~ Jessica