This is crazy, but my dreams are coming true. If you have known me very long, you have heard my heart long for China and Orphanages. This always seemed like a far-away vision almost like a whisper from someone far away. A wish. A Hope. Well, guess what? When you have a Daddy like ours...He answers our deep heart yearnings when we give our dreams to Him to let Him allow them to blossom in HIS timing.

Today, I had an opportunity to go to an orphanage called SunShine Village. The kid’s parents are either gone or in prison and this place takes care of them. They raise their own crops to sell and raise support.

I hopped in a van along with Matt and Sally, Lily, Amanda, Apple, Judy and Angie and rode about an hour to SunShine Village. It’s funny how back in the States I would have considered this a LONG trip, but now it just seems routine to be in a vehicle for at least a half hour or more if I want to go anywhere.  We got there and jumped out of the green van and shuffled over to the activity center with our bag of crafty supplies. A group of international High schooler’s were joining us and they performed a skit based on “Where the Wild Things Are”. It was delightful, but I must say their masks were atrocious! All the better, though because the kids absolutely LOVED them. We passed out paper plates and markers, glue and paper and they went crazy creating their own version of masks to cover their cute dirty little faces. After they created their own masks, lots of the kids were selected to go up on stage and practice for their own “version” of the skit. It was so comical!

 

Here’s a FUNNY story:

Instead of going up and helping the other kids however, I noticed a little boy in the back playing with a little pink Snow white bouncy ball in the back. His eyes lit up when he saw me and I knew that we had formed an instant connection. He called me “piao-liang” (beautiful) and I said he was the cutest little guy I have ever seen. For the next 2 hours I had best peng you (friend) named “Liu tian ge”. We played soccer with the little pink ball, everything from kicking it, doing rain-bows, to head-balling. Then we decided that one of us would take the ball and run around the room and the other had to chase them! It was so fun and little Liu was SOOOOooo fast!!! I found it really odd that as he ducked behind chairs and behind curtains and outside …that he kept changing jackets! This struck me as really odd and I was so confused. Why would a little orphan boy keep changing his jacket? He was wearing a brown tattered jacket, then it suddenly became a blue sports coat and then it changed into a brown button up shirt. He must be really into this game, because I lose him whenever he gets out of my sight for a second! He must have changed his jacket like 10 times! I felt bad that I couldn’t tell him apart from the others except for his clothing, but dang this is crazy. I finally caught little Liu with the Pink Snow White bouncy ball smirking at me at the back of the room underneath a chair. AHA! I’ve caught you! Let’s just say, he got his fair share of tickling and kisses for this little stunt. We colored together, played a version of duck, duck goose and then he ate the given snack: an orange and a milk sipper cup. Then it was time to say “Zai Jian!” (good bye). What a sad time, I had gotten quite attached to my little Liu. As we were leaving I turned around to say goodbye to Liu and I saw 3 boys standin’ in a row. Oh my gosh. WHICH ONE WAS LIU?!?!  Lily turned to me and said, “Yeah, Liu is one of the three triplets here at the orphanage, I don’t think anyone can tell them apart, expect for the other children.” HAHAHAHahahaha, so apparently Liu wasn’t changing jackets on me while we played our little game. He is a triplet and just using it to his advantage to trick me unintentionally.  Gotta love it. What a beautiful Sunday at SunVillage.

 

Dreams really do come true. Keep dreaming. He will give you the desires of your Heart...as your desires and His mesh together as One. Unity. Together. This isn’t just wishful thinking..this is TRUTH.

Don’t be afraid to Dream.

Here is a conversation I had with a friend...It really reminded me of the mystery of how we are loved by Him.

What a Mystery

 

The beauty of humility is the recognition that one does not have good performance

When we accept that someone else is our performance

We accept a gift

Our problem is that we are proudly independent

When we should proudly be dependent.

 

...because of our high view of sin, we can easily get in the trap of seeing our selves as worthless, but the contrary is true in the Word. The reason he sends JC to die in our stead is because he values us, and He understands our plight and he takes it upon himself to restore us because he desires us.

If we accept the fact that this is how we are loved, then we just love that way, because we have nothing to prove..we aren't trying to gain acceptance for ourselves among peer, people, groups instead, we have been accepted and have absolute security in that acceptance there, then, now is no condemnation there, then now is no self-serving...just LOVE.

The trap is to meditate on this as a proposition, which it is, but it is an experience and most of the times it is inexpressible but we as followers of the Way know what it feels like.

when JC saves us, we are still both totally sinner and totally redeemed at the same time, what is so beautiful is that he still will love us, and that he exhibits patience until the final day of our resurrection when the sin is done away with forever and we are left in righteousness.

 

He doesn't want us living in our noble pursuits

He wants us lost in him

We are the intersection points of the Kingdom of JC that will redeem the earth

Live vivaciously.

Live boldly.

Live daringly.

Thank you for the ability to breathe, to take in air and exhale.

Thank you for artistic expression and the way it leads to your beauty.

Thank for the six girls you have chosen for me to get know in this journey in China. My team...it’s awesome to see our want and willingness to include each other and to lift each other up. Thank you that you have gifted each of us with certain gifts and talents.

Here’s a little glimpse at each one of these amazing girls.

(In PHoto: left to right: Abby, me, Gia, Valerie, Kimmie, Jocelyn, Becky)

 

Valerie Dolby. Man, thanks for the way she leads our team with such laid back charm. I’m convinced she couldn’t get lost even if she tried. I think she swallowed a compass one day and now she just always knows just the right directions. She has a knack for having an answer to any question you could ask, or the ability to point you to a person who would know the answer. She also plays the piano like nobody’s business. I seriously want to cry when she plays and sings the songs she writes, they are just breathtaking. Whenever I think of someone wearing a fancy dressy black China shirt, cool earrings, and green chucks for the Christmas Eve service, I will always think of our faithful Team Leader Val.

Becky Gailey. Dang, I’m thankful for the way she brings a mature and hopeful outlook to possibilities in life. She hasn’t let opportunities bring her bitterness, but the determined steadfast hope for what lies ahead. I’m thankful for the way she has such a giving heart. She is a storehouse of Good Book knowledge and insight. It’s fun to just listen to her talk about what HE is teaching her and where He is leading her. Whenever I think of Pretzel Magic, packages galore, watching friends and someone who gives sound advice...Becky will be the person who pops up in my mind.

I’m thankful for Kimmie Hubbard too. She almost seems like a duo with Becky because they are so close! She really is a leader behind the scenes who is so humble. She is able to get things done without taking any glory or soliciting any praise. It’s been wonderful looking to her and asking what the schedule is like for the next day or week or month. I think she has an internal calendar. She knows when to be “no nonsense”, like in the classroom when there are 35 screaming children or when we are greeting people at fellowship and we need to check their passports, but she has on more than one occasion known just the right time to give uplifting words and a shoulder squeeze. She has such hometown pride that it is unbelievable. I enjoy catching glimpses of her life back in her beloved city as she reminisces and tells us crazy stories of her and her college roomies. Whenever I think of Wheaton, Illinois, Kimmie will be the first person I recall.

Then there is my roomie, Gia Straw. She is really unlike any other person I’ve met. She has a quiet grace about her, yet she is firm in her beliefs and forthright about her selective tastes. She is so considerate and she doesn’t choose her words without thought. The more I get to know her, the more I realize that there is so much more to know about her! She thinks about ideas deeply, yet she doesn’t go off the analytical deep end. Gia also has an amazing knack for writing letters. Seriously, if you saw her penmanship..she would win some kind of award. She crafts these creations on different kinds of stationary with muted tones giving them such an antique mysterious feel. I really think that she would make a great detective because she has done research on codes and her eyes light up when she is talking about something forbidden, mysterious, or dangerous. If I ever purchase green shoes, I will have to thank Gia for her influence on me.

Abby Diedrich is amazing. She came to China and now almost every weekend she is booked with an outing with some random Chinese friend she has made! She doesn’t even have to try; her gifts of hospitality and spending quality time with people just shine. It’s wonderful because her teammates get to join in on the fun! She arranged dinner with Claire, shopping with Vivian, overnights with our FAO, outings with Helen and Eric, a day in the park with Vivian, David and another guy..and the list goes on! She is really compassionate when you are dealing with something and she doesn’t let any grass grow under her feet. She is always up and doing something, even if it means waking up at 7:30am to go shopping at the Zoo market, on a SATURDAY! She also has a fierce desire to learn and try things independently. For example, last week she pierced her own ear, just to see if she could do it! She also has made her own cooked Egg Nog and is determined to improve her Chinese. Whenever I think of running, humongous bags on wheels, “squeezies” and talking to someone on Skype in the SAME room...I will think of Abby Diedrich.

Jocelyn Chung, Oh how this girl makes me laugh. She isn’t slapstick funny, but she just has this way about her that is almost abrasive, yet instead it just strikes you as funny. She is a really good teacher and giving little gifts just comes naturally for her. She has a hint of sentimentality that hits her every once in a while and the world just stops as we all wonder “Did that really just happen!?” She was the first person on our team that I got to sit down and really talk to..we sat together on the 2 hour bus ride from the bus ride to our hotel in California for training. She really desires to go deeper in Him and has such a heart for learning. Good thing she is in education because I bet you that she is passing that excellence off to her 1^st graders. I really am amazed by the wealth of knowledge and ideas that she has for the classroom. She has an eye for design in her photographs (which I really appreciate) and such a servant’s heart. She is always the first to volunteer to do the dishes, pour the tea, clean up or doing other things that don’t get a lot of praise. Whenever I think about someone wanting to watch just ONE more episode of Grey’s, laughing then Crying profusely within seconds of each other, being “embarrassed”, wearing China-fab outfits with style, and thinking eating brownies will give her necessary protein intake.. I will think of Jocelyn Chung.

 

You know, I have a lot to be thankful for. I love these six girls I’m around.

Beijing, China is becoming home.

Love,

Krissy

I like this song. We are in the middle of the ride. Can't give up yet.

Hey, don't write yourself off yet

it's only in your head you feel left out or looked down on.

Just try your best, try everything you can.

And don't you worry what they tell themselves when you're away.

It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle of the ride.

Everything (everything) will be just fine, everything (everything) will be

alright (alright).

Hey, you know they're all the same.

You know you're doing better on your own, so don't buy in.

Live right now.

Yeah, just be yourself.

It doesn't matter if it's good enough for someone else.

It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle of the ride.

Everything (everything) will be just fine, everything (everything) will be

alright (alright).

It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle of the ride.

Everything (everything) will be just fine, everything (everything) will be

alright (alright).

Hey, don't write yourself off yet.

It's only in your head you feel left out or

looked down on.

Just do your best, do everything you can.

And don't you worry what the bitter hearts are gonna say.

It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle of the ride.

Everything (everything) will be just fine, everything (everything) will be

alright (alright).

It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle of the ride.

Everything (everything) will be just fine, everything (everything) will be

alright (alright).

Random happenings/thoughts this week (in no particular order):

• I got chased by a crazy yippy dog while I was running. He literally jumped out of the basket of a man's bike and ran after me. Scary! This little dog was wearing a USA flag sweater.
• I was an angel in our Christmas party drama.
• I watched the 4th graders do a choreographed dance to "We Will Rock you" this week
• Maggie (my Chinese co-teacher) told me she had a dream about me last night...I asked her "what was I doing?"...She said, "Singing!"
• I think I have sung Rudolph the Red-nosed reindeer to practice for the Christmas performance approximately 93 times this week. I started asking my kids to sing in different moods such as "angry, happy, sad, like an old man, like a pop star" to mix it up..
• China has baby oranges. They are cute.
• I tied a long sock around my neck while I went running to keep my neck warm.
• I think I've made a discovery: When you have the most to do, it's the time that you least likely feel like doing it.
• I love my best friend Ahna so much.
• I got a 3 page handwritten letter scanned and sent by email by a guy I have never met who had been lifting me up! It made my day!
• 2 packages arrived in the mail for Christmas..I may or may not have opened and peeked at them before Christmas...shhh....Muhaha!
• I'm realizing how MUCH He LOVES me.
• I ate an icecream cone at McD's the other day. It was simply heavenly.
• We gave our Chinese tutor "Sleepless in Seattle" and "Indiana Jones" DvDs as a Christmas present.
  
• My kids found DVD, VCD, MOM, and CCTV in our transportation Wordsearch. Pretty sure that's awesome. haha!
• I like Hanson's Christmas CD. Boy bands do a great job of Christmas Cds.
• Kimmie is a part of a local gym. The Chinese personal trainer has a crush on her. FUNNY THING: He looks like a Chinese version of her ex-boyfriend. We like to tease her endlessly.
• I have missed my family and friends more than I think my heart could ever handle. I cried my eyes out on numerous occasions.
• I just got really serious.
• I am trusting JC with a possible job oppurtunity for next year. It is SOOOoo stinkin' cool. I would love it. Trusting. Trusting. Trusting.
• We are buying our plane tickets to Thailand soon.
• I might buy some Keens. (shoes) for 300 kuai. *gasp*
• I have 8 Christmas parties to plan for next week.
• I have eaten Orville Fat Free Kettlecorn this week. Thanks Dad!
• It snowed once. For 10 minutes!
• I need to work on some lesson plans.
• The Christmas party was amazing. Here is a link to some photos: CLICK HERE

Love,

Krissy!

Have you ever been listening to a song and you just hear HIM speak to you through it SO clearly?

That happened to me today as I was jammin' to some tunes on my MP3.

I have heard this song a million times, yet somehow today it just HIT me. I almost started crying! I just felt the weight of His words just encapsulating my heart. It's something I have known rationally in my head for years, but suddenly...it made sense in my heart. Dang. I love things like that. When I am encountering heartache and trials that seem unending.. it is comforting to know that I'm not in this fight alone. Sometimes that is what life is....a fight. We can try to sugarcoat it, but if we were to be really honest....we all have things we struggle with daily.  It is so easy to despair when I lose sight and I'm wounded in the battle with dark clouds of lies swirling above.

I want to challenge you to trust....even though you cannot see what is coming next. I know that we are in a grand adventure and we have a real enemy who really does want to not only defeat us...but to take away our Hope.  However we have a King and He has already won the fight....and demons TREMBLE at the very sound of His Name. If they tremble, why should I be afraid? He's got my back and He's never failed me once. I will trust Him. He loves me.

He love us. He really really really DOES want the best for us.

Here are the lyrics.

"He never said it would be easy, but he promised you would never be alone."



MUCH Love,

Krissy

Welcome to this episode of "China Stories" with Kristina

The title of this episode is: "Oh no you didn't, you... Hand-Grabber!"

So, I have a story about a China experience I had today. It's a lovely Friday afternoon and my team and I decide that we want to go to the Zoo Market.( it is a market that sells clothes, shoes, backpacks, stuffed animals, etc. ) I need a backpack for our trip coming up in January, and they wanted to buy some shoes. So, we hopped on the not-so-crowded bus for a half hour ride and get off at the market.

Well, two random Chinese guys about my age, who were also shopping in the Zoo Market, walk by and stare....I naturally think nothing of it. Well, then I notice that one of them is whispering to his friend and the next thing I know....he grabs my hand to hold it.

Hold up.

This is where, "Oh no you didn't, you... Hand-Grabber!" pops into my brain.

Let's just say...this Chinese man got his hand SLAPPED pretty dang hard by this American girl. He looked at his red hand and then up at me in shock and then starts to laugh. I'm tempted to smile, but instead...(I've been practicing this)...I give him the unexpected "Teacher Look of DEATH". Oh yes, folks, the look that penetrates through your eyes and into your very soul. I'm sure he felt this...even though he continued laughing.

Moral of the story: Don't try to hold a girl's hand who has quick reflexes without permission... or you are likely to get slapped.

Oh, China. 

Love

Krissy

(Thursday)

December 11, 2008

7 am (just to remind you..it is 6pm in America at this point!!)         I got up and took a shower…the water wasn’t too cold today! I found a hairdryer here in China so it only takes 15 minutes to dry my hair now. (with my other one it took at least 20!) Today is a self-declared pink shirt day. Therefore, I’ve decided to wear a pink shirt.

8:30 am On Thursdays we have Chinese tutoring! I went up to Kimmie and Becky’s apartment. I walked down 3 flights of stairs and then walked up 5 flights of stairs to the other wing of the apartment building. Our Chinese tutor named Mary is teaching us there. She is a couple years older than us, fluent in English and Chinese, and she invited us to her wedding this December! Today we are learning about the parts of the body. We are learning to recognize upon hearing to point to the words for head, neck, chest, back, stomach, elbow, arm, finger, hand, leg, foot, toe and body. We also went over parts of the face such as hair, forehead, eyes, eyelashes, cheek, lips, teeth, mouth, ears, jaw, and chin. For next week we are going to learn the words for several emotions such as embarrassed (that will be a useful one especially here in China as we speak in our halting Chinese to the locals!!) , happy, excited, sad and depressed.  After class as I was walking Mary to the gate, she stopped me and told me: “ I think I like you very much.” Haha! I told her that the feeling was definitely mutual.

10:00am We normally have Chinese tutoring for 2 hours on Thursday but Mary had to leave a little early today. For some reason I was in a baking mood. (My team likes it when I get into these types of moods!) I made some no-bake cookies…. Because I can!

10:30am It’s time to go to The Office. {Sounds like a TV series.}

10:45am  I have Grade 5 Class 3 today. They are my lovey dovey class. I definitely receive the love language of hugs and kisses as soon as I walk in. Just for reference, it is extremely hard to walk when you have four Chinese girls hugging your waist and two Chinese boys tugging on your arms. Everything is always so new and exciting to this class. I told them that back in Cincinnati, it has snowed two inches! They all opened their mouth in utter shock. The snow hardly ever accumulates in Beijing, China apparently. This class really loves to participate….especially if it means they get to pick a sticker of a “Lao Hu” (tiger) that Miss Kristina has brought from America.

12:00pmXiu Xi (pronounced “show she”) time!  I left the office and went back to my apartment which is about less than 5 minutes away from the school. (Aren’t I blessed? Yes.)  I changed into some sweet running gear and went for a 3 mile run in the brisk coolness/bright sunshine. I really love running the Beijing streets. I am always dodging people walking on the sidewalks, smelling delicious Chinese home-cooking restaurants, seeing tiny dogs run wild, feeling the wind against my skin, rockin’ out to my tunes on my MP3 playa and observing the interactions of a people who are loved by my Daddy. This is a great time I have to lift up concerns and things my friends are dealing with to Him. Know that I’m thinking about you.

12:45pm I run back into the school and I’m greeted by my classes who are exiting the school cafeteria. They all want to take out my earphones and listen to what kind of music that I’m listening to…haha! They were surprised at how mellow it was!

1:00pm I’m back in my room and reading a chapter of my book on Theophostic Ministry. Wow.

2:10pm I’m teaching Grade 5 Class 1…it was a blur. I can’t remember.

3:00pm Back in The Office. One of my students (I forget her name) came and gave me a little gift. It was a cute little (I mean, TINY) book about how to take care of jewelry written in about 7 languages. Ha! So I asked her what her favorite gem was and she said she likes pink diamonds and I told her I liked blue Sapphires. We looked up pink diamonds on the internet. She hung out with me for quite awhile and asked me what egg juice was…. We looked up some pictures of egg nog.

4:30pm I traversed across the playground and back to my apartment.  Lina and Shelley asked me if I wanted to go the Dvd store ..about a 15 minute walk from our home. Heck yes. They sell Dvds there for 10 kuai each! (that is a little more than 1 dollar) I picked out two fun ones for the kids like the new Alvin and the Chipmunks and Ratatouille… and I picked up one called “The Nanny Diaries”. Kimmie told me it was a satire. I love types of movies that actually make you think about things. (A Beautiful Mind and V for Vendetta are some of my faves)

5:30pm I stopped by the “White Steps” (<<Guess why we call it that? haha) restaurant with Lina to get authentic Chinese takeout.

6:30pm I’m eatin’ my takeout while watching Nanny Diaries  on my laptop with my roomie, Gia!

7:30pm  It’s TIZO time!

9:30pm I made some plans to go to the Zoo Market with some of my teammates after classes on Friday…(The Zoo Market is a clothing market that sells things for cheaper than other Chinese malls)…to buy a hiker’s backpack. I need one for our trip to Cambodia, Thailand, and Lao in January. We might get to be kickin’ it in the jungle doing some crazy stuff like a zipline tour of a jungle in Thailand!

 It’s called The FLIGHT OF THE GIBBON. Check it out here…

http://www.treetopasia.com/thailand-vacations/video-gallery

 

11:30pm I’m tired. I don’t think I ever went to bed before midnight in college. I must be a REAL grownup now..hahaha!

Love,

Krissy

Here are some words HE ( JC ) told me yesterday.
He portrayed a beautiful word picture that really clarified some of my thoughts about the sanctification process for me.

"I don't view you as a project that I am working on until I finish, you are my bride and I long to romance you. A growing relationship that we grow in to know more about each other. Not to become clean, even though that WILL happen with time.

Kristina, my breath is upon you.
I know you.
I love you.

You are my child who I long to embrace. I will not love you more when you are clean before me. I love you just as much RIGHT now and you are clean in my sight. My clean, pure and spotless bride. You cannot earn my affection. 

Just dance with me and enjoy the waltz. We will work on the mis-steps. They will correct themselves as you stop focusing on your feet and start focusing on my eyes. We make a beautiful team. Come, come away with me, my beloved. You don't have to worry or be afraid any longer I have your heart in my hands and I love you more than you could ever imagine. Just relax and trust in my timing. I am in control. I love you, darling. Life is not meant to be completed...it is meant to be LIVED. Realize the ebb and flow of my grace in your life. I will not do everything today. Just know that when it needs to be done, I will do it. For now, just rest in my timing. You need not take care of  everything.

I'm letting you know that I'm going to be leading this dance, my darling. I will be leading this dance."

So I have tried to fight it for too long, but it's time to admit it. I don't think of my day in a narrative form in a long story, rather....I think in lists categorizing events into times and major events. I have fought this because it doesn't seem very "blog-ish" (whatever that means) to write an entry in a list format with comments, but you know what? I'm going to do it! It's the way that I process through my day. So... WELCOME. You are welcome to enjoy the journey with me through my review of the day today. (YOUR tomorrow if you are reading from the United States.)

Wednesday 12/10/08

6am Woke up and did some Beth Moore study (sooo goood) and then slept a little more. I also realized I LOST my favorite black sweater (the cool one with the circular zipper pull thing.) I got really angry and sad...it's one thing when you lose your fave sweater and you can just go down to the mall and get a new one...here in China, it's not so easy!

7:40 Went to the office, and spent time reviewing and creating some lesson plans, replying to some emails, and paying some bills online, and writing a letter to JC (yeah, he gets my pryers through Word Documents sometimes, hehe)

11:20 My first class doesn't start until now because Chocolate (my co-teacher) asked me to switch my 4th period class with her 7th.
I taught my Grade 4 class 2. This is one of my favorites, because they are very smart, witty and downright hillarious. Also... Andy is in this class. I am teaching them "Over the River and Through the Woods" complete with motions for the Christmas performance on the 23rd of this month.

12:00 Oh yes, my favorite part of the day! It's called Xiu Xi (pronounced "show she") It's the national observed Nap Time. Heck yes. Usually I skip lunch and go running and then read during this part of the day, but today I went with Kari, Chocolate, and Vivian (my Chinese co-teachers) to the school cafeteria. They were serving some kind of Fish dish (SKIP), some kind of mushy looking white stuff (SKIP) , some green veggies that looked soggy (SKIP), beans (soybeans that taste like Lima beans, Yum) rice (it's very sticky and made in a huge pan and you cut out a slice of it.) and some kind of non-sweet small pancake type deal-e-o. (good). I thought I was becoming better at chopsticks, but apparently I still need some time, because my co-teachers kept telling me to hold them "higher" up on the sticks.

1:00 I am sleeping on our couch dreaming of who knows what. I hardly ever remember what I dream about.

2:00 Back to the office!

2:10 I have Class 4.1 (Grade 4 Class 1) and they were actually behaving because the Homeroom teacher was present! It is a NIGHT/DAY difference in classroom management depending on whether the homeroom teacher stays or takes a break. Seriously, I will either be almost yelling for everyone to chill out or I will have an amazing lesson. You think I'm kidding!

3:00 I have Class 4.1 (Grade 4 Class 1) and Gohan greets me with "GAME OVER, Teacher! I will kill you!" Nice to see you too, Gohan. hahahahaha!

3:50 Back in the office. Val, our Team leader  and Jocelyn's (my teammate) bf are now Skype friends. hahahah! Jocelyn's bf apparently looked up Val and found her. He told her that Jocelyn should go home early bc she had a headache. We were cracking up, mostly bc Jocelyn was so embarrassed.

4:00 Hannah and Lucy came and gave me tiny notes on sticky paper that said "I LOVE YOU, MISS KRISTINA" The notes were so tiny that they could fit on my nails. So I have two little notes stuck on my pinky fingers of both hands. Comical? I think so.  While they were doing this more student gathered around, so after I showed them pictures of my family and my friends...(YES, don't worry, they OOO and AHHH about how Handsome and Pretty you all are!) I gave them some mini playdough to play with. They tried to scare me with their playdough snakes, but I took it away when little Harry Potter decided to make some "poo" with his black playdough and show EVERYONE. NO more playdough for him! ha!

4:45 I met with Becky (my teammate) up in her apartment on the 5th floor and we lifted up the meeting we were having with our co-teacher Jane that night to the Father. Jane is kind of hard to get along with (to say the least) and it's been super hard for our teammate Kimmie to work with her with the 3rd grade this year.

5:40 We met Jane and her newlywed hubby (2 months) to walk to a local restaurant for dinner. He was seriously the NICEST Chinese man I have ever met! They were so cute. He is a math teacher and she is an English teacher. Ironically Jane said that her hardest subject in school was math and her husband said his was English. haha! What a match. Not until later did we realize that TODAY was their 2 month anniversary! They were so happy and chose to spend it with us!!! (the foreign teachers) How crazy cool is that? The dinner was so relaxed and fun and Kimmie said she got to see a different side of Jane. Yay Daddy! He really does answer our pryers! Want to know what we ate? Okay here's some of the food we ordered: pumpkin fries, potatoe tower, broccoli with garlic, spicy fish, eggplant with onions, sweet/sour pork (the real deal), corn/pinenuts, some kind of salady thing, and of course... Chrysanthemum tea!

7:45 I walked halfway back to our apartment and stopped at Vanguard (the local grocery) and picked up a Pepsi Zero in order to break my 100 kuai (about 15-16 dollars-ish) to pay back my roomie for some things we were buying together for our apartment.

8:00 Went over to MAC (McClellan Center) next door to use the internet and read a new book for FUN! It's a light read called "Back when we were Grownups". I also hope to read more of my book for my Counseling class that I attend every Sunday. It's called Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands and I highly recommend it. I don't know why I had never heard some of these things taught about our faith. It's amazing. We are also studying about the Theophostic Ministry and it is simply blowing me away. I have never been so broken and feeling so raw, yet also seeing so much DEEP healing in my life. I am in awe of our Creator and the way He works!

Well, I did it! I listed my day, I'm going to continue to read my book.

Cheers and too-da-loo wo de Peng yous! (my friends)

Krissy

Some random observations today in Miss Kristina's life here in China:

• "Angel" (one of my 5th graders) got five points taken away from her team for cheating yesterday...haha!
  I found this ironic, but apparently cheating is a really common problem here, because there is so much pressure to perform and do well on examinations. A Chinese high school student only has one chance to take the examination to make it into University to earn a higher degree of education, so as you can imagine, the competition and suicide rates are high here.

• My Chinese co-teachers sat in on my lesson for the Christmas performance.
  They were mouthing and repeating every word of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer right along with the 5th graders. They said they really liked it and asked me what the word "glee" meant. Learning never ends, does it? :)

• In general the Chinese have a more innocent view of love. 
  To some naivete might be annoying, but I have actually found it refreshing. It's like staring out a dirty window and rather than seeing the dust and grime on the pane, but they somehow see the clouds and the sunshine. My awkward 9 and 10 year olds who cannot bear to even stand next to the opposite gender while singing a song (literally, they will run to opposite sides of the room!) will grow into slightly less awkward University students. Many do not have their first boyfriend/girlfriend until they reach university. Their main influences on "love" include dramatic movies and highly emotional music videos. I find Chinese notebook paper lined with Chinglish (an affectionate term for Chinese sounding English) phrases such as "You be the cloud in my sky" and "We live together forever you and me".

• I am eating peanut butter.
  I think I can count on ONE hand how many times I have bought a jar of PB in the States, yet in China I have already bought two! I think that is one familiar food I can buy from the local Chinese grocery store that doesn't cost me an arm and a leg. Interesting.

• Vivian, Chocolate and Claire danced in the office yesterday morning.
  I could hardly believe it, but I watched as my Chinese Co-teachers broke out in a booty dance in the office. I was cracking up!!!
  

Krissy

(I think I might try to blog more.  This is fun.  I feel like so much happens in one day!)

This quote pretty much sums up what is going on with me right now.

"I believe China is a refinement tool like no other. It strips you of everything until you are left with raw emotions before the Great Healer, who is the only one to satisfy. It's painful, but oh so sweet indeed." -Joelle ( a CTF team leader)

I seriously feel like I'm going through spiritual boot camp the past couple months! I'm learning what it means to follow JC with my every fiber of my being. Things I thought I dealt with years ago are popping back up and showing themselves. Here's a couple truths that He revealed to me this week:

"The key to successful leading requires stepping outside yourself and discovering what others need."

"You are not forgotten. You are not alone."

"People can't help but respond to others who are genuinely interested in them."

"Leaders need to persevere even when morale and enthusiasm are lost. Great leaders draw their enthusiasm from sources beyond circumstances."

"Thank you" - expresses appreciation
"I forgive you" - restores, releases guilt, builds community
"Tell me your idea" - shows respect
"You did a great job"- motivates and encourages
"I believe you can do it" - empowers
"Tell me more about yourself" - builds friendship

I believe that we are all called to lead in one area or another...and no one else can accomplish that task like we can. I tend to get introspective and perfectionist with myself and yesterday He showed me that I can... stop. I don't have to get bogged down with all my imperfections (believe me, there are ALOT) because I know that He can use me to bring joy to others in spite of them. What freedom. Living to give. Living outside myself is invigorating. What is going on in other's lives? What are they struggling with? How can I be lifting them up? How can I encourage them? In what ways do they feel love?

Living a life focused outwardly and renewed daily by a source beyond circumstances brings true joy because I am not trying to "fix" things on my own. I am giving that refinement process over to His control. and He loves me.

We aren't alone. So many people hide their hurt and pain and the lies that rage against them on the inside. I challenge you to look outside your circumstances today and focus on listening to Him....and where you might be used to bring life into someone's darkness today by a simple act of unexpected kindness. :)

Love you! Cya~Krissy~

CONTENTMENT

 

Guess what? I’m in China.

In Beijing!The capital of this big nation called China.

I’ve moved into my apartment and I’m starting to teach my 4 classes of 4^th graders, and 4 classes of 5^th graders.  Yep, they are pretty much amazing. They pass me saying, “HELLO TEACHER!” or “HELLO MISS KRISTINA!”, and they even help me carry my books to the office. We’ve begun to sing the days of the week song. If you haven’t heard it you are missing out. It’s to the tune of the Adam’s Family…complete with snapping.

I’d like to tell you what a typical day is like in China, but I haven’t experienced that yet! Everyday seems to be different than all of the others! Just trying to get the store has turned into a crowded bus ride with a hundred people talking in a language I can’t comprehend. I now pay for things with kuai (1 dollar is equal to 6.7 kuai) and I am stared/pointed at because of my long blond hair. I love the people here and I’m amazed at the ways that they serve. They go out of their way to make you at home and they congratulate my limited attempts at speaking their language.

I haven’t lost contact with my “Daddy” while I’m over here. In fact, He seems to be highlighting how He is my provider and I’m learning to trust in His loving care. I am so grateful for all that He has given to me. A cozy little apartment, a wonderful roomie, warm clothes, food to eat (and Coke Zero!). yes.

He surely knows how to provide for His children. I was talking with one of my teammates and we were talking about how so often our minds are consumed with the thoughts of “I’ll be happy when _____(insert here)______.”  It always changes when we receive it and if we don’t our minds tend to dwell on it. He is teaching me about being CONTENT. Contentment is something that seems to be just beyond my grasp as I long to find a way to settle here. Things are constantly changing and I just can’t seem to find any comfort in a routine.

Living in China has brought about so many changes. I mean, we (our team) have left all our comforts…our homes,  family, friends, work, routine, and jumped on a plane with a bunch of people I’ve never met to live in close proximity for the next year. I have NEVER taught before. I’m teaching…it is SO far out of my comfort zone that I believe I’ve seen the steepest learning curve…and my tears have flown freely as I struggle to prepare lesson plans for 8 classes of 30 students each…(about 240 students total).  The adventure begs me to continue, yet my fear of the unknown cripples my mind. Another thing I should let you know about…I’ve committed not to date for the next year. This wouldn’t normally be a problem, but since it is a “rule” somehow I feel limited.  Why does this happen? I miss living with my Dad and my brother…it is SO different living on a planet of Estrogen. I do not mean to belittle this adventure in China, but I do want to let you in on the reality.

Just when I begin to freak out in my mind…He steps in. My provider. My LoVe. My Creator.

His words  calm my worried heart with TRUTH. There are so many voices begging for my attention, yet only one claims my Life and reveals my true needs.

He “has planted eternity in the human heart”

His “purpose is to give life in all its fullness”

“He has loved us, His people with His everlasting Love”

“Great is His faithfulness, His mercies begin afresh every morning”

“His words are full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife.”

“Give all your worries and cares to Him, for he cares about what happens to you.”

“He has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self discipline”

“He is faithful; He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can’t stand up against it.”

“I myself no longer live, but He lives in me.”

“My attitude should be the same as Him, He considered Himself a servant.”

“Put on His armor so that you will be able to stand FIRM against all the strategies and tricks of the Evil one.”

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, lift up everything.”

“Live wisely among those who do not know Him and make the most of every opportunity”

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what He has prepared for those who Love Him.”

“Give all your worries and cares to Him for HE CARES about what happens to you.”

 

Contentment.

Contentment.

Contentment.

 

He is all I need.  I just wanted to encourage you to let Him be your everything today. This moment. To thank Him for the very breath you are breathing (hopefully the non-polluted one! Ha!)

Thinking about you and lifting you up.

You all are amazing.

Here are some photos. Check 'em out!

PHOTOS FOR YOU TO LOOK AT! CLICK HERE!

Much LoVe,

 

Krissy

Sunrise. Sunset.

These are some of the lyrics of my favorite musical that seem to sing out the melody of my life as of the moment. The beauty of ending something old  and anticipating the beginning of something new. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be leaving for Beijing China in TWO days.

A whirlwind of Cacophonic Harmony. That is how I would describe training in LaQuinta Hotel in California for the past two weeks.

 I am thankful for my new team and the adventures that lie in front of us.  Let me introduce you to my team. Team Beijing going to 21st Century Experimental school to teach elementary.

Order: (Left to Right, Starting from the Top of the Photo)

Becky - mature, caring and level headed, a real anchor for our team
Gia - soft spoken, philosophical with mischievous bent
Kimmie - Loyal and logical, with a soft soft for the Chicago Cubs
Yours Truly-  :)  If you are reading this blog, you probably know me pretty well.
Jocelyn - Laugh out loud hilarious with her candor, a gracious servant's heart and refreshingly vulnerable
Val - My team leader, an independent, fiery deep thinker with lots of energy
Abby - quick to compliment, laugh and loves to run


We just participated in the team competition...The CTF (China Teaching Fellowship) Olympics 2008.
Guess what team won? Heck yes. Here is a pic of us and our GOLD medals we earned by double jumping rope, creating a team song, playing human rock paper sissors and winning water ballon Tank.


My thoughts scatter to different parts of these past two weeks as I view the splatters of paint on different canvases of new life. New life. What a concept. I am so thankful for the moments. Treasures. Realities of the Love that I've been drawn into. Here are a few of the things that I am thankful for in the past two weeks...

* hiking up the mountains in the desert
* fresh pineapple for breakfast
*talking to iizkewl on AIM
*Talking to dad, David, Ry, Carita, Ahna, Carrie on Skype and showing them the hotel and the mountains
*walking 3 miles to Walgreens with Abby, Gia and Christine and picking/peeling an orange from a tree on the way
*free cell minutes on weekends
*My roomie, Katie Schooler, her laugh, and us singing HSM ridiculously
*beautiful clouds during the plane ride
*Minoria vs. Majoria, the bird monument, and the bird signal and of course our president
*Sally teaching us restaurant words in Chinese. (FOO-YOU-ARE) is server...
*Forgiveness and new friendships
*taking an uber long walk with Val talking about deep stuff and relationships
*Dry heat 113 degrees...WOO.
*Crystal Light Slushies at Circle K
*Ralph's to get dinner for everyone
*Playing Dutch Blitz with Jocelyn and the team
*Devotions by John Mark, ahh, his heart is amazing
*Playing frisbeeeee and the sprinklers suddenly coming on...HAHAH
*getting a pkg and a card from Daddy (gum,card, wrist brace, skittles and Twizzlers)
*playing loaded questions and getting to know my team and others (Jim!)
*buying postcards
*Renewal
*Days of Elijah (the song) ahh. so awesome
*message from mom
*watching "Shower" and another Chinese movie with subtitles and playing with silly putty
*Talking to Kimmie's dad and Val during Stuft Pizza
*Ephesians, the whole book!
*watching HSM and singing our hearts out
*walking with Jocelyn
*lifting up my friends
*talking about trips to see Kristin Keith, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia perhaps!
*teaching my FIRST lesson, and doing well ! YES!!!  Phil 4:13

Well this verse in the song of my Life is about to end, but I can't wait to share what is to come. Commissioning service is tonight.

Bring it on. :)

Love, Krissy

Ps. Stay tuned for the 2nd verse of this song. It will probably be sung from China. Maybe even in Mandarin.