I'll Be Home for Christmas...

...If only in my dreams...
And my dreams were full last week: of you all back in the states. My first Christmas at home approached quickly and I was admittedly dreading the day. I could hardly imagine how the most beautiful day of the year could be filled with joy without those I loved near to me. But my Abba takes care of me always - He gave me a great peace in my heart. I spent the day surrounded by people who love me and were even willing to appease all my Christmas wishes for my happiness. They are too good to me ;o)
I had the pleasure of playing Santa Claus and hosting the singletons for Christmas morning. We had delectable cinnamon rolls & quiche (I am my mother's daughter) and stuffed each others stockings with goodies. Highlights included William's re-gifts and Jessi's "I-Love-You" Rats (its the year of the rat after all, who doesn't need a pink stuffed rat?)

My American family heard our desperate cries for culture, and because of their attention I spent the afternoon introducing Brian and Angelyn to the great Christmas Classic Musical, Meet Me in St. Louis. Highlights included mocking Judy Garland's love interest and learning the lyrics to "I was drunk last night, dear Mother"

Then I hit the crazy streets for a last minute desperate attempt to secure the tackiest Christmas sweater China had to offer. You would think this would have been a simple task...but you try fighting off 200 90 lbs girls who all want thing you do (though they are searching for a fashion statement and you for a hideous prize) and are skilled at the art of Tai Ji...so my search was unfruitful. Sad to say I disgraced the Tacky Christmas Sweater Party I so desired. Luckily Brian's sweet Pharaoh-chest-hair-stripe-fest more than made up for my downfall.

That evening we held the first annual Tacky Christmas Sweater-themed Shiyan Progressive Dinner. It began with egg-nog & rotell (White Trash Christmas), followed by soup (Christmas a la John "my dad was born in a Mexican prison" Calvillo), moved to Min's amazing feast (Chinese Christmas) and finished with Christmas in a pan (Sugar Coma Christmas) We worked off the calories by walking from place to place and serenading the masses with Christmas Carols the hour we spent stuck on the bus. Sadly, despite our best efforts to pace our selves and eat through the pain, I felt fairly conquered.

Thanks to my kid brother, I got to see the faces of my wonderfully crazy family on SKYPE - the greatest Christmas present of all. Its seems they were able to celebrate Christmas despite my absence, and I am glad that our Father gave them that strength. ;o) My Christmas was complete because of them. They are with me always, I carry them in my heart. I carry all of you - Thank you for all your Christmas wishes and for always lifting me up to our wonderful Abba above. I hope you all had the Happiest Christmas!

GWG ~ Jessica

Here is my Christmas Album: Been An Awful Good Girl, Santa Baby...

Twas the night before Christmas...

I have always had such a love affair with Christmas, thanks to the exuberance of my mother no doubt ;o) She always planned each detail perfectly, giving her Martha Stewart touch to each bough and branch. Its been so strange, watching the days on the calendar creep by without the sights and smells of my own home filling them. I haven't felt much of the Christmas spirit this year, being far from them and everything familiar. The Chinese idea of Christmas is far from my own...but last night something magical happened. I had been suffering my monthly bout of insomnia, laying there in tossing a million things around in my head. Then I looked over and saw the clock - 12:04 am. Christmas Eve. Suddenly everything got quieter. The earth shifted and settled, a calm came over me and I felt a peace I hadn't in quite a while. I was suddenly reminded of something. Imagine the blessing I have...I am surrounded by 1 billion Chinese people who are covering their windows with plastic Santas and buying Chin-glish Christmas cards, but they have no idea what they are celebrating. I am blessed among men, for I have been given the gift of life. I get to remember today that miraculous moment when my GD made himself so small just so that I could see Him face to face. I am filled with the wonder of my LRD. And you know something else...my Abba is sending me SNOW to complete my awe.
So tonight and tomorrow I will spend the day with people who have made my heart so full. There are festivities to be had, no doubt, and I will be sure to fill you in on them soon.

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Since Christmas is family time, I think its about time for some family news! Our family in Shiyan is growning rapidly and I am thrilled to have almost 10 new girls to call my sisters (and a brother!). It so obvious that He is fighting for the people here and to realize that I have been chosen to fight with him, its an awesome privilege and responsibility.
We have been talking a lot recently about taking the spirit of the Son from our hearts to our hands. Angelyn and one of our brothers have started visiting the people we pass on the streets each day: talking to them about their needs, looking for ways to bring healing to their physical and spiritual pains. I am exploring ways to be His hands as well.
Come to find out a while back that Priscilla and I both had hearts for the women of Shiyan living under the pink lights. (We call them pink lights...you might know them better as red) It was actually one of the reasons I chose China as a place to come because I plan to work against international sex trafficking in the future. Priscilla has also been feeling a pull towards them after driving past them nightly. We decided we wanted to pursue this work have begun PRYing, thinking and planning how to begin.
A few weekends ago when I was in Wuhan, I had the opportunity to meet the foreign women who are leading a similar effort in Wuhan's pink light district. I got to speak with Kelli and Heather, who had begun the MNSTRY 1 year ago. The spoke to me about the logistics, how they go about each day, and the success/troubles they have been faced with. Heather shared a really encouraging story with me about a visit to the Beijing MNSTRY, where 4 women have left the pink light work and are living in a rehabilitative house. They go to night school, and support themselves by making jewelry that they sell online. Its called the starfish project, if you would like to Google it! I was also blessed to speak to two girls who had just joined the work there, and they gave me such a unique insight into what we were undertaking. I am so grateful that Abba gave me the gift of meeting with them, it really opened my eyes to what we were about it begin!
In light of lessons learned from meeting the women in Wuhan, and PRYRful consideration, Priscilla and I have a fresh outlook on the work we would like to do. The next two months will be filled with constant PRYR and careful preparation. I never want to underestimate the seriousness of what we are undertaking. There are a number of very serious things to consider, and so here is where we are in need of PRYR warriors such as yourselves! Please keep the following in your conversations with Him:

1. The LRD will raise up leadership among our Chinese sisters to take control of this mnstry, it would be impossible without them. (We were looking specifically for one sister who really had a heart for this work to join with us in leadership, and He answered our prayer so quickly with the most perfect sister! But we are still searching for all others to help!)
2. The LRD will give strength, dedication, and insight to Priscilla and me as we try to be his hands and feet
3. The LRD will prepare the hearts of the women in the pink light districts to be open to our friendship
4. The power to overcome in the spiritual battle we are about to enter into
5. The pink light MNSTRYS already underway in Beijing and Wuhan

The actually logistics of the work as still very much up in the air, as we would really like to have our Chinese sisters leading in the preparation stages. There are a number of possibilities that are looking promising, such as offering free medical checks, or giving clothes or other basic necessities. There will be various roles to play in the MNSTRY; women actually going inside to talk with the pink light ladies, PRYR teams out on the side walk, and PRYR assignments throughout the city to cover us. (A great way for the men to be involved!). We are hoping to spend the time between now and Spring Festival PRYing, and then preparing so that we can begin when we return in February.
We are so blessed to live as daughters of the King and to know the reality of His love. It is our hope that we can give the women of Shiyan a glimpse of that great gift. I wanted to share all of this with you, as well as the verse we are keeping in our hearts to constantly remind ourselves of the place of these women in our father's kingdom.
Therefore, behold, I will allure her and bring her into the wilderness, and I will speak tenderly and to her heart. There I will give her her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor to be for her a door of hope and expectation. And she shall sing there and respond as in the days of her youth and as at the time when she came up out of the land of Egypt. And it shall be in that day, says the Lord, that you will call Me, Ishi [my Husband], and you shall no more call Me, Baali [my Baal]. For I will take away the names of the Baals out of her mouth, and they shall no more be mentioned or seriously remembered by their name. And in that day will I make a covenant for Israel with the living creatures of the open country and with the birds of the heavens and with the creeping things of the ground. And I will break the bow and the sword and conflict out of the land and will make you lie down safely. And I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and justice, in steadfast love, and in mercy. I will even betroth you to Me in stability and in faithfulness, and you shall know the Lord. (Hosea 2: 14-20)

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Last week Brian, Angelyn and I took a much needed family vacation together to Chengdu. What had been described to us as the most magical place on earth was a considerable disappointment, but the time spent with these kindred spirits was wonderful none the less! I would compose a short novella to you all here, but are they not already all written in the books and annuals of the king? (hehe, clever 61 study joke inserted here) What I am trying to say is that Angelyn has already blogged her heart out and he words convey our adventure far better than my own could. Please check out http://angelyninshiyan.blogspot.com/ for full disclosure! I inserted a few videos here, so you could witness a few key moments in our trip.
Video #1 is of the adorable baby pandas in at Chengdu's panda research base. Witness the snobby American who thinks she can get away with anything being admonished by the luckiest Chinese person on the planet...

Video #2 is further proof that birds are in fact the spawn of Satan himself. Those of you who have spent any amount of time with me at all are aware of my great fear. Witness Brian proving his bravery and my near death experience as the bird charges...


And since I still don't think you have enough to look at! Here are the links to my Chengdu trip:
Album #1: Destination December, Part 1
Album#2: Destination December, Part 2
Album#3: Destination December, Part 3

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And I heard him exclaim ere he drove out of sight...Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night...Sheng Dan Kui Le!

GWG ~ Jessica

Making Amends, Good Friend

Happy Christmas All! I know "happy" is not the characteristic English greeting, but being here in China has left me at a culture crossroads. I am forgetting so much of my own culture, while embracing another, I feel almost as if I could reinvent myself altogether. So British it is today!
I realized horrifically that I have been MIA from my blog for over a month, during which I am sure you were all torture with worrisome thoughts of my well being. Is she alright? Did she die of food poisoning from a hundred year old egg? Has she been thrown in a Chinese prison or deported? Unfortunately, I have no grandiose tale to give you aside from sheer shirking of my correspondence responsibilities. So in order to make amends, good friend, I will try to fill you in on the past exhausting, fulfilling and packed/packed/packed few weeks.

~Thanksgiving Recap~
I will admit that in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, I was less than pleasant to live with (I am sure Angelyn & Brian could attest to that). Obvious with the joy of the holidays comes the constant reminder of the miles that separate us from our family. Thankfully, despite my wallowing, the LRD blessed me with everything I didn't deserve. I can say with full assurance that I had one of the best Thanksgivings ever...much to the chagrin of my mother I am sure. We went to McDonalds for a family breakfast (I shudder to admit it, but its true, I ate there) and showed the Chinese onlookers how its done with a game of REAL football. Sadly through a number of unfortunate circumstances: cheating, referee buying, yardage discrepancies, the mighty fell. But the north will rise again! ;o) We had Thanksgiving dinner with the entire family, I would say almost 80 people in all! Foreigners and Chinese from all over the city, family and non. We each cooked western delights so the feast was complete, from deviled eggs to apple pies. It was wonderful to have a taste of home to say the least! And the evening would not have been complete without the most amazing Karaoke moment that has ever been and ever would be...see the photo album...as well as a cup of jo from our recently discovered Chinese Central Perk. After such an incredible day, Angelyn and I decided we just couldn't let the good times stop rolling, so we headed to Wuhan for round two! We spent the weekend in Wuhan with some much missed foreigner friends. Highlights included the best nap I have ever had in my life, Tom's World, an hour long hair washing, and a Thanksgiving poker came (cleaned up at by yours truly).
At this point I would like to make a disclaimer...I feel that my pictures speak louder than my words ever could, and they just plain take less time to read. Please refer to the photo albums here to witness Thanksgiving in China in all its bizarre and delectable glory!

Album #1: What Am I Thankful For?
Album#2: So Apparently the Devil only Lives in Wuchang...

~The Great Tree Heist of 2007 & Russian Hats~
Because I am my mother's daughter, I have an innate aversion to what I will from here on out refer to as "tacky Christmas". You know tacky Christmas when you see it...its the flaw-filled, flashy decorating tactic that once completed is visible from space. The Chinese are masters of tacky Christmas, which they have had the misfortune of believing to be beautiful. I will not go into specifics, I only mentioned it to preface my story with the statement that the number one offense of tacky Christmas is the fake tree. I passionately declared I would NOT, under any circumstances or duress, put a fake tree in my house...so after a failed trip to the tree market...the next logical step was to hike into the wilderness that is my back yard and chop one down myself (as my ancestors did in the days of ole). So I wrangled some accomplices into my plot and we set out to obtain the perfect tree. Of course, because our activities were highly suspect, the tree heist was done under the cover of darkness. Though in the adventure a few "minor" scratches were obtain, eventually the prickly, Charlie Brown death tree came to its new home, natures ornaments and all. And it stands today, surrounded by presents, awaiting to fulfill its Christmas destiny. Some have called it ugly...ridiculous...and pathetic - but these are merely words of jealousy. When you see the pictures, you will know, it is truly a glorious symbol of the Christmas spirit!
In the first week of December we were granted the presence of two beautiful ladies from Wuhan. Danielle and Carole missed us so much, and since we had assured them there were good times to be had in Shiyan, they came for a weekend out in the "country". We spent the little precious time we had together in women's study, a visit to the local orphanage, and in Sunday meeting together. I think it was a wonderful chance for the girls to see how the small but established family of Shiyan works. I wish everyone could experience the China that I am privileged to experience each day through them. There was other fun to be had as well...from KTV to Shanghai Angel Place. All of these things were highlighted with Russian hats, random outbreaks of musical numbers, and very poor Chinese! There was a combination of kindred spirits that turned the everyday exceptional. Lesson learned: its not the location, but the caliber of the company that makes a vacation (see the next post for further proof).

Album #3: Baby It's Cold Outside

~Sheng Ri Kui La A Ni!~
Because time cannot stand still, regardless of how you wish for it, I had the obligation of turning another year old recently. I think I have been cursed to live all my life with Peter Pan syndrome, and since there is no physical Neverland to escape to, I will have to be content with childish antics every once in a while. (A shocking admission to those who know me so well, I am sure) But I will admit, I willingly embrace the practice of celebrating the inevitable in style, and was given a truly fantastic day. Albeit, I spent the morning giving finals, but even those were not unbearable. I received a lovely wake up knock from my students, a birthday banner to commemorate the occasion, and a fresh batch of banana pancakes eaten to the delicious voice of Jack Johnson's musical twin. I spent the afternoon relaxing with friends, and that evening our friends joined me for dinner and the most enormous birthday cake I have ever seen! I was showered with gifts, hugs and love - the perfect way to spend the day. Everytime I am able to see all of our family together, I am so overwhelmed with the incredible blessing I have here. They have welcomed and loved me with an ounce of reservation, something I still have trouble believing at times, but am so glad to accept. I would have to say that the highlight was an incredible gift directly from a friend's heart to mine: the "hit-Abraham-in-the-jugular" dart board. This present is the perfect outlet for some much needed aggression release against a particularly disgruntling superior. Please witness the breaking in of the board below, as well as the birthday photo album!



Album #4: Sheng Ri Kui La to me!


So...after writing for so long, I have come to the realization that you will shortly be bored with me if I talk for much longer. I have left you with more than enough photos to ponder and questions to ask (which I always welcome by the way) I would love to spend the next blog posting getting to the heart of things...so please be watching for a report on Destination December, the PLM & Family News in the next few days. Until then, know that I am constantly reminded of you all - I carry you in my heart.

GWG ~ Jessica

Lets Be Honest...

Hello my friends, my family, the random people in cyberspace who perchance read my personal thoughts...you strangers probably didn't realize when you stumbled into my head that you were going to receive a rare treat today. I promised myself that the next time I sat down at this computer to compose a blog, things would be different. I have been concerned with keeping my words comedic, introspective, and intriguing to entertain the people at home to somehow live up to some kind of intellectual standard that I set for myself so as not to disappoint you all. But...lets be honest...the majority of you readers know me better then I know myself. You know my heart, you know my style, and you know I am just not quite posh (nicely placed, ay?) enough to pull this off forever! The truth is this: there are two very real fears hindering my open communication with you. The first is the obvious governmental restrictions. The second one is unfortunately not so easy to scape goat - my own limitation in vulnerability is as frustrating to me here as in every other instance.
I haven't come to these realizations on my own, actually, we have been talking about vulnerability a lot here lately. Its amazing to me how the demons that we each dealt with in America traveled across the ocean and transformed themselves to fit perfectly into our Chinese life. I have to face the same struggles here: being my true self (the good, the bad, the ugly, neurotics and all) with the foreigners who have become my family, revealing to the questioning Chinese that I don't have all the answers, speaking the truth despite fear of rejection, or opening my heart to an honest dialouge with the God who knows it so well it terrifies me. Luckily, my Abba never lets me forget that He is not going to give up until I am willing to be an open book, intellectualism replaced with authenticity.
I am constantly asked, "How are you".
Standard answer: "I'm great! I love China, I love the people, I may never want to leave!"
Let's be honest: "I am great...most days. I have never been so free to laugh, to love, and to relax. Life in China is peaceful for me because my days are spent in a job that is barely demanding, and socialization with people who made me love them from day one. There are other times though, that things are not so great. So much time for introspection leaves me emotionally exhausted. I have been forced to examine pieces of my heart that were covered in America by exams, papers, and an appointment book. Sometimes I don't want to leave my apartment because in here I can forget that if I walk out that door I will be in a different world. A world where I am constantly stared at, giggled about, and the recipient of 8 double takes at once. Where I am the only amazon-sized white woman in a sea of beautiful China doll women. Where I cannot speak to anyone and am left with an intense feeling of loneliness. I miss my family and hate that I am missing so much of their lives here. I miss my friends who already know me, who can see through my facades and force me to come out of any slump that I happen to fall into. And heaven forbid I even voice this...but there are even days when I miss my 6:00 am alarm that catapultes me into a day of nonstop movement until I collapse from exhaustion!
Its ironic, as I read back over that last paragraph even I am surprised at some of the things that I have been feeling. Its so easy for me to separate them from myself, to start to believe they are the emotions of other, "weaker" people. But who are we kidding...I am the weaker person...in need of phone calls, emails, and letters from my loved ones in America. In need of strength from the powerful One above to get overcome the demons that plague my insecurities and to transform my spirit. I have been so blessed though...how many people can couple the intense love of their Father with the incredible cover of prayers from so many who are loving and supportive?
I want to be clear though. There are struggles, but they have not even begun to overcome the genuine happiness I enjoy here. He is working, He is working so clearly! Our family blows my mind, their hearts are so open: to us and to their Father. We are currently beginning a campaign to conform our family, to take the knowledge of the Son and his work from our heads to our hands. This community is about to witness the LRD and we have full confidence that He is going to transform this city. There is power here: it is evident, it is undeniable and it is infectious. I wish I could bring every single one of you here and share this place with you. I want you to walk the streets, to smell the smells (the good, the bad, the ugly...), to exchange smiles that speak more than words ever could. I want to introduce you to my family to my family, my friends to my friends. The day-to-day here is impossible to express through these blogs, pictures could not capture them, words could not convey them. I can only hope that you can read between every line and that I can remember the subtle nuances of every story so when I tell you face-to-face, you will understand.
Its Thanksgiving this week and we are celebrating the American way! We went down to the black Chinese meat market and picked the two biggest, ugliest, chickens we could find. ON Thursday we will chop their heads off and slow roast them over an open fire in an alley on the same spicket as some dog meat...PSYCH! Its too easy... Our Thanksgiving will be truly American, complete with a football game, turkey dinner, napping and dirty, competitive game playing. Then Angelyn, Darla, and I will head to Wuhan for a weekend of Thanksgiving #2 and quality time with the foreign family there. (My REAL reason for going is to pet monkey's and get what is rumored to be the best cup of coffee in the far east...but seeing old friends makes me sound more sincere) I am really looking forward to Thursday, but I will be thinking of you all at home, remembering poker games (which I always lose...), playing with my babies, and the witty conversation of my familia! I am thankful for you all, for God's overwhelming blessings, and the incredible journey that my life has become!
GWG ~ Jessica

Check out my newest photos:
Man, I feel like a WOMAN!
Climbing to Mordor...

You're a poet, and you didn't know it. But your feet they show it, they're Longfellows...

So I will admit, at times its difficult to remember that each of my students are educated, intelligent and deeply introspective. When they have troubles expressing themselves in English, my subconscious has the tendency to translate their lingual shortcomings into intellectual ones. Luckily, the Big Guy likes to hit me upside the head and remind me of my own stupidity! So I want to share with you some of the poetry that my students wrote for their final exam. Hopefully it will give you the same glimpse into the Chinese culture and heart that it gave me.
The assignment was to construct an I AM poem, then speak to me about it. I was thrilled with the results, I will definitely be repeating the process for future courses...


I AM - by Mathon (my Hispanic Chinese student)

I am an ambitious boy who likes goat
I wonder why the world is so well-rounded
I hear the wishes of all people
I see all the goats flying up to the sky
I want to travel around China
I am an ambitious boy who likes goat
I pretend that I'm an Angel
I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders
I touch the sky, the stars, the moon and sons of God
I worry about the war of all kinds (including mental wars & real life wars)
I cry for the death and poverty in the world
I am an ambitious boy who likes goat
I understand the difficulties of being able to make all wishes come true
I say that we are all kind hearted
I dream of communism comes true soon
I try to make people around me fortunate
I hope that mankind will be at peace
I am an ambitious boy who likes goat


I Am - by Derek

I am diligent and idle
I wonder why does the sun rise so early every morning
I hear the buzzing bee
I see the Statue of Liberty smiling to me
I want to have wisdom vouchsafed from God
I am diligent and idle
I pretend to be an old tree of a thousand years
I feel the body of the ground
I touch the blue sky, the white clouds and the sunshine
I worry about dying of lacking of water
I cry for staying in the same place all years
I am diligent and idle
I understand the cruelty of animals' survival for living
I say we could relax
I dream of our life having many colors
I try to reach a happy place
I hope it will be reality one day
I am diligent and idle


I AM - by Julie

I am a lovely girl who likes the moon
I hope I can have a pair of wings
I hear seagulls fly across the ocean surface
I see the moon twinkle
I want to fly to the sky
I am a lovely girl who likes the moon
I pretend that I am an Angel
I feel the clouds under my feet
I touch the stars, they are singing
I cheer up for the exciting moment
I am a lovely girl who likes the moon
I am sad when I see the poor children in Africa
I want to offer them food, clothes and useful things
But I know that what they are eager for is warmth
So I want to take the moon there
Let the light shine and warm their hearts
I am a lovely girl who likes the moon


I AM - by Sam

I am a shy boy who likes explore and dream
I wonder what it looks like when people live on the moon
I hear the crazy sound of cheering for the living on the moon
I see people live on the moon and working on their farm
I want traveling to moon and have a week's holiday or more
I am a shy boy who likes explore and dream
I pretend that I can sit on the spaceship and travel across the space
I feel the feeling of lost weight
I touch the stars and any other planet
I cry for the people who died because of the space accident
I am a shy boy who likes explore and dream
I understand human will try the best to achieve the aim
I say I will cheer for our human success
I dream I can do what I should to insist to achieve the aim
I try my best to study
I hope I can travel across the space by the spaceship which was made by myself
I am a shy boy who likes explore and dream

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

Let me share this Whole New World with you...

It is said that imitation is the greatest form of flattery, so I hope that my darling laotong will not mind if I take a page from her book and share with you all a list detailing my observations of this amazing country. As I walk the streets, meet the people, and watch the cultural manifestations in Shiyan I am struck not by our differences (though they can be vast) but our commonalities. These universal facets of life are refreshing, giving me great comfort in the difficult days when everything I know seems so far away. So without further adieu:
(which may I just proudly say, there are at least 47 Chinese students who now know the meaning of this theatrical slang!)

Universalities
*Beautiful babies who do not recognize the color of a face, but the smile on it
*The deliciousness of Chinese food (you think its good in the states...oh man)
*Flirtatious men
*The blessing of a rainy day spent with friends
*My ability to stick my foot in my mouth!
*My inability to do anything useful in a kitchen
*The subconscious feeling that there is something bigger out there
*The healing power of a piece of chocolate
*Women worrying about their weight
*Random Acts of Kindness
*Secret love affairs
*The game of Spades is top ten
*Prank phone calls at 12:01 am
*Inherent respect for, and a desire to glean wisdom from, the elderly
*Boy Bands (unfortunately)
*A man's need to be strong
*A woman's need to be loved
*Students falling asleep in class
*Materialism
*Poverty
*Obsession with celebrity
*The unbelievable beauty of His creation
*The destructive power of jealousy
*The empowerment of a compliment
*McDonald's is slow suicide
*The unparalleled comfort of The Word
*The disconnect of a government from its people
*Potty humor
*Bad dancers (who have the misguided impression they are fantastic and must share their gift)
*The alienation that is created by arrogance
*The need for acceptance
*The pleasure of a strong, black, steaming cup of coffee
*An effect of a mother's love on one's formation
*The destructiveness of a father's mistreatment
*Fascination with disaster, from car accidents to fashion faux pas
*On that note...fashion faux pas!
*The need to be rescued

I could go on and on...I had thought at first about listing the differences between America and China, but I realized it be a short list. "Nationality" doesn't lead to much interesting conversation. At first I was shocked to learn the truth that we are not so different, but then I realized it shouldn't surprise me: we all come from the same great love and are made in the image of the same infallible power. We were all meant to serve the same master and to be one body. Its an awesome realization!

I have posted some photos from my first few weeks in China. The photo headers will give you an idea of what it is like here. I think I have sad many times, the most beautiful and sad place I have ever been. Here is the link, please check it out! http://lcu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2008429&l=44a64&id=160200020

I want you all to know I am doing so well. I am having such an adventure, I am happy, I am healthy and I have family here. My students and my friends are so warm and loving, they make you feel like their best friend and the most famous person on the planet all that the same time! There are days when I miss you all so much it hurts, but thankfully those are fleeting moments because I am here for a purpose and have been given great peace. Thank you for your covering, I feel it every day and thrive under it! Please email me (jessica.inchina@yahoo.com), write on my facebook wall, call me (1-360-566-2881), anything! I miss seeing your faces, but I can hear your words and look forward to it every day!!!
(Please remember and adhere to the guidelines I have given you all on contacting me, they are very important. If you need another copy, please let me know)

GWG - Jessica

First Impressions

Ni Hao! (I would love to impress you all with much more mandarin, but alas complete immersion is a slow process) I have now been in the Republic for 4 days and in order to appease those of you who have been shamelessly badgering me, I thought it was time to let the masses know how I am doing thus far! (You know who you are...) Honesty though, I am so grateful for the desire to know how I am doing, it is good to know that I am not so easily forgotten. ;o)

~THE TRIP~
The trip to China went very smoothly, dare say uneventful. I left the states at midnight on the 24th and arrived in China the morning of the 26th. (never fear, China is 15 hours ahead of the west coast, it was not an inhumane, claustrophobic captive plane ride...wait...scratch that!) I arrived in Ghoungzhou, went through customs, and saw my first Chinese McDonalds within 3 minutes! We then took the trip to Wuhan where I was met by my waiban (foreign official) Her name was Helen, her English was fantastic and she was an absolute angel.


Wuhan was a true experience, I saw so much filth and sadness there, despite the grandeur of the government buildings the real people were living a much different life. I was "shielded" from this when I was treated to fantastic meals and stayed in a very nice hotel...this was all wonderful but turned out to be a buttering up of the foreign so I would be in good spirits and compliant when I was to be stripped, poked, and prodded in a Chinese hospital! But I passed with flying colors and declared a good investment for the university ;o) And the driving!!! Driving in China is...lets just say there are no rules and it is every crazy man for himself!


I arrived in Shiyan by a 6 hour train ride, during which I had my first Chinese/English conversation! The gentlemen across from me in the sleeper kept anxiously smiling at me for an hour and finally got up the courage to say, "I want have conversation with you". (Can I just say that the Chinese' smiles are SO infectious that I have found it impossible to refuse a one?) After Robin and I exhausted "Hi, my name is" "Nice to meet you" and "How are you" it was a tough go, but he did manage to display appropriate dismay at my singlehood, call boys in the states crazy and sweetly offer to be my boyfriend! *Something that didn't happen to often in the states...had he not been pushing 40 it may have been something to consider... ;o) Yeah, I took a picture of him when he was sleeping...had to remember him

~MY HOME~
I am pleasantly surprised by Shiyan, compared to the rest of China it is very accommodating to my anally clean self! My apartment has its good points (Hobbit Door) and bad points (Shower that saturates the entire bathroom) The school just underwent a major sprucing up for evaluations and it is lovely (flowers and ivy everywhere). The province of Hubei is quite warm, dang near tropical and I feel as if I will never be dry again! But I am assured that in 3 weeks time it will be a temperate paradise and there is fantastic hiking to take in the views. Down the block is a row of little hole in the wall restaurants (where we eat every meal for 5 kuai-the equivalent of about $70 cents-and the food is out of this world), bakeries, fruit stands, and the cutest little Chinese puppies running around! The city is small (probably only 250,000 within the limits) but filled with everything you could possibly need. I even found Oreos in a grocery store ;o) We are hours by train to some of the most famous and beautiful parts of China, Wudang Mountain, The Three Gorges and the Terracotta Soldiers, all of which I cannot wait to see. I can say with full assurance that despite the smells, lack of cleanliness, and squaty-potties...I am in love with the place!

~THE PEOPLE~
It is impossible not to smile all the time. The Chinese have the most infectious smiles and so far have not been too upset with my language inadequacies! I have met several who speak quite good English (one of the many languages they seem to have mastered, amazing) and they love to practice by cornering you with conversation after conversation. I had the absolute pleasure of meeting a group last night at family time who were nothing short of blessings. I was told that I would not fall in love with China, but the Chinese, and I have found that to be the truth. I can't wait til I have more to share with you about these amazing people.
The group in Shiyan with me has been fantastic. Angelyn, Brian and Trip are here with me: they have been babysitting the newbie around the city and I feel so welcomed into the fold. I have been introduced to Chicken Strip Market, The Hobbit Hole, Happy Guys and LOST (apparently there are many rules and regulations to being a member of the LOST cult, but I drank the Koolaid and there is no going back now!) The others are across town, but we were together for family time yesterday and it was wonderful. There are really no adequate words and I wish I had a way to express what I was able to experience. I will be anxiously waiting for each time the family is together. I can already tell that those times will be my bread and butter.
Amazing things are happening here, there is an undeniable presence and a fierce movement. The following have been our meditation, maybe these words can say what I am not able to- 49 2:12,13,19-22

~THE FOREIGNER~
The foreigner is well. There were many tears the first few hours on the plane (I will chalk that up to lack of sleep and Lisa See's ability to rip your heart out with her words, not my blubbery nature), many words sent up for strength and contentment, many rubs of my magic locket (for courage, thanks to my laotong!) and much empathizing with the others on the journey over the pond with me. But as usual, I received everything that I asked for and can say with full confidence that I am happy and assured that I followed where I was led. I miss you all so much, you can't know how much (when an image of a boy playing a guitar in a store window can make you tear up, you know you are in trouble - rock on my brothers), but I have a family here who will take care of me and love me until I can see you all again. And I have pretty wicked company hanging around my heart - and He gets me ya know? Laughs at my jokes and sends me white butterflies... ;o)

Much Love - GWG, Jessica

P.S. China has blocked this website from thier network, so I can only post this, not see what it looks like myself. Hopefully the formatting is legible!

Final Words from Homebase

Hey All!
I'll just tell you now, I will be a woman of few words today. I leave in T-minus 28 hours and there are things to be done. Not a million things, just the 888 on my to do list. ;o) But I could not wing away without a few words to those who matter most.
This next year was and is possible because of everything you gave to me: kind expressions of encouragement and advice, overwhelming financial contributions, travel tips, bowed heads and fervent words. I am so blessed by you all and will be missing you like crazy!
Thanks to the wonders of technology, I will not have to miss you as much as I could. You all have my email address, but if you need a reminder: jessica.boffey@yahoo.com. And if you are just desperate to hear my voice or see my face, you can give me a call! My new phone number is through SKYPE, and it is (360) 566. 2881. (Just a few words on SKYPE for yall) If you download SKYPE on the internet (its free), you can basically turn your computer into a phone. If you have SKYPE, we can talk for FREE (Yeah!). If not, you can call me and it will charge your phone bill like a local number. You will probably not be able to reach me for the next week or so, but I will definitely blog again when I am settled in. Due to my technologically 1950's mind, I am considering this the most amazing creation since yogurt-covered pretzels! You will probably not be able to reach me for the next week or so, but I will definitely blog again when I am settled in.
So, to wrap up, I am excited! Along with the excitement comes bits of nerves and worries. I am anticipating the best; but my paranoid second-self is planning for the inevitable lows. There are a ton of emotions but very few adequate ways to convey them. But I want you all to know that I am without one thing, that is fear. I would say surprisingly, but that would be alluding to a lack of faith that a promise made could be broken. I am not surprised, but thankful. I have requested one thing time and time again, and meditated on its realization, that was courage (a constant reminder that the dearest friend gave me!)
So thank you all for everything, and I will be seeing YOU in 10 months! Much Love and Care to you all, Jessica

28 days

Yes, the title of a movie or eight, but more applicable today...28 days is the measure of my time left in the States. 28 days to figure out how I am going to pack a years worth of living into two trunks and a backpack. 28 days (for a girl who lived with education majors, constantly balked at their workload, and never envied their high aspirations) to create lesson plans that could actually serve to impart knowledge. 28 days to try to squeeze every last beautiful second of laughter and love out of my family and friends. 28 days to figure out where I put that CD I can't live without, decide if cheese could survive a 3 day journey, and come up with a way to trick the visa agents into having my authorization here in time. 28 days to prepare for a cross-continental grand adventure!

Moment of honesty: Overwhelmed is the only word that seems within the realm of adequately conveying my emotions. I have never felt a stronger desire to break out into a sprint and take a nap at the same time! It is evident to me that there is a battle, right here right now, one that is not bound to lift for the next 11 months. A battle of wills (if you will) that in my limited point of view seems to be happening only to me right now. There is a sense of loneliness in it, and I am close to resenting my own struggles, but then I look out the window...

I am sitting here in a lovely little coffee shop downtown Seattle. Have I mentioned I love this city? The quirkiest, funniest, most amiable people in the world are right here! I am watching them walk their dogs, hold hands with their sweethearts, avoid cracks in the sidewalks, talk on cell phones, inhale their venti/triple shot/non fat/no sugar/breves...going on with everyday life in a seemingly enjoyable fashion. Their covers are as convincing as my own! But I have a distinct feeling that the same emotion that keeps welling up in me is in them as well. We are an overwhelmed people and while we run around in circles pretending to enjoy it we are really all searching for the same thing - REST.

Seeing no rest in sight, I think I am watching the next 28 days stretch out as one long hurdle before me. I have never wanted anything more and never felt less prepared to handle it. Discouragement has been knocking and like little Much-Afraid, sometimes I have the audacity to open the door enough to have polite conversation. So please, could you send up a flare for me, that I could be reminded every once in a while that that Discouragement is a door-to-door salesman with cheap tricks and it is best to lock the door, turn out the lights, and pretend no one is home?

I recieved this poem from a friend the other day and it was another one of those amazing Big G things. Obviously planned, perfectly executed, at the exact moment when it was desperately needed. It reminded me that I have been searching for rest, but there is still fighting to be done and I am a desperately needed warrior! We are given adequate time for refreshment, it is what happens in the moments between the refining battles. Thank you for your cover!!!


Press on.

Grant them strength to press on.

When our cherished dreams begin to burst like the children’s bubbles blown to the air,

When people of common sense and clear sight,

When doctors and lawyers, specialists, friends and neighbors all cry:

“A good try, but you’re through.”

Give us strength to keep on persisting.

Light the fire to press on.

And when the forces are overwhelming – as in illness or death –

Keep our goal ever before us – defiantly

Past every temporary setback,

Past every discouragement,

Past every surrender of those we love and respect,

Give us the mighty power to press on and on and on.

-Robert James St. Clair

Starting Something New

Exactly 40 days from today I will board a plane at LAX and step off that same plane the very next day in Wuhan, Hubei. Then I will take a train to Shi Yan, a small (by Chinese standards, only about a million people) city in the Wudang Mountains of South Central China. Shi Yan will be my home for 10 months as I will be an English teacher in the Hubei Automotive Industrial Institute.


Things I don't know...

More than 10 words of Chinese

How to cook in a wok (Okay, okay, how to cook period)

If I will ever be able to find shoes my size

How my year in China will change me

What I am going to do with my life afterwards


Things I do know...

Ni Hao Ma is the start of every great conversation

How to live off fruit and tea

My mom will always send me shoes if I need them

I will be changed for the better

I will be okay, because there is a force greater than myself, greater than my decisions, and greater than I can imagine to guide me in China and through whatever else lies ahead.


So this blog is to keep all of you posted on what is sure to be my greatest adventure (so far!), through photos and blogs. Keep checking back every once in a while, and I would love to hear from each of you!


For Today:

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the Lord returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes. Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.

The Lord will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.

Isaiah 52:7-10