Thankfulness

So it's the season where everyone starts talking about things they are thankful for. And so I thought it would be appropriate to take some time to say a few things I'm thankful for (actually it's alot of things, but that's a good thing right?)

1. I'm thankful for my amazing team:

• Our team leaders: Dale and Allysa: for being there for us, leading us, letting us do crazy things, putting up with our silliness
• Chesney: for bringing so much joy to our team. You always make me laugh and smile
• Hailey: for all your wisdom, sarcastic comments, and love of stupid scary movies
• Sarah: for your steadiness and servant's heart.
• Asher and Dasha: for just all the love and fun you bring to the team
• Anna: for being my best friend for the last 4 years; you're a big part of why I'm here in China, and I am so thankful for you

2. I'm thankful for my wonderful family for being brave and letting me come to the other side of the world. Your support and love mean more to me than words can express. I love you all and miss you so much! 

3. All of the people who made it possible for me to come to China. Your outpouring of love and support overwhelms me every day! I am awed and humbled by your kindness and generous hearts-may Father richly bless you for your sacrifices to help me come to China!

4. My fellowship here: I'm amazed by the transparency and love of Father that you have shown me. Thank you all for your wisdom and for your willingness to share you wisdom with young people like me. 

5. China. Oh China ... as frustrating as you can be at moments, I'm so incredibly blessed to be here experiencing your culture and your people. Here's a few things about China I'm thankful for:

•  Jiǎozi: Oh  Jiǎozi how I love you
• Muddy, bumpy roads: you make life fun
• Insanely crowded buses: granted sometimes you can give me major motion sickness, but there's never a dull moment on a crowded Chinese bus. 
• Lack of efficiency: you're teaching me that life does not always run by a schedule. And it's ok to just fly by the seat of your pants some days.
• Fireworks and construction: thanks for making sure I never get to bed before midnight and never sleep past 7:00am (on most days haha)
• Chinese fashion: I could seriously go on about this forever. But I'm just happy I get to have many chuckles to myself multiple times a day when I see Chinese people wearing crazy outfits.
• Hot water and more clothes are the remedy for every illness ... *coughcoughNOTcoughcough*

6. Gerry, our Foreign Affairs Official (FAO): Most schools that have foreign teachers have an FAO who is in charge of taking care of the foreign teachers. This ranges from making sure all their paperwork is in order, to informing them about school events, to making sure they have drinking water in their apartments ... well this last one probably isn't in the job description but Gerry does it anyway. Gerry is AWESOME!!! He works so hard to take care of us, and he's the BEST FAO EVER!!! Sorry to my friends at other schools, but Gerry has all your FAOs beat by a long shot. He's also got a fantastic sense of humor!

7. My co-teachers: Monica, Candy, and Jenny. For putting up with me and my craziness and total lack of teaching background. Also for making sure I know that I should drink more hot water and wear more clothes when I'm sick (not that I listen to them, but it's sweet they try to tell me how to take care of myself). These ladies are amazing-they are fantastic teachers and wonderful people. I'm so blessed to get to work with them. 

8. My babies: Oh my babies ... I want to scream out across the world I LOVE MY BABIES! Or like that scene in Elf I want to sing out "I LOVE YOU! I LOVE YOU! I LOOOOVVVEEE YOU!!!!" You all teach me something new every day-I'm overwhelmed by your love and your sweet spirits. When I look into all of your big, beautiful brown eyes, my heart just melts. I don't know how I'm going to say good-bye in a few months. You will always have a special place in my heart-all 288 of you. 

9. Father. Father, it's been a crazy, wild ride to get me here to China. Thank you for teaching me about love, surrender, trust, and the myriad of lessons you've taught me in the last 10 months. As much as I fight with you some days, you still love me and you do what's best for me. You love me, freely, despite all my faults and my doubting. Thank you that you can change even the most stubborn of hearts. 

Me and Class 3