The Gift of Mirth

Today was the first "freezing" day my Warm California bones encountered! I zipped through the day in office hours, and proceeded to spend my evening in the best company I've had so far! My teammate Megan is teaching the highest level of English classes on campus and several of her students wanted to take us to Cornerstone- a like-minded coffee house! The whole girls side of our team chose to brave the brisk wind outside and meet with the students! When we arrived, we had to walk through several back alleys that did not look very safe or where a location for a coffee shop would be established. But, I kept my thoughts to myself as the five of her students led the five of us foreigners. Finally we came to this whole in the wall door, and went inside! What a transformation! On the inside was a completely western-style coffee shop. Bookshelves with like-minded books and the Good Word lined the walls, while comfy couches and tables begged for a group to lounge around holding drinks warming them from the crisp fall air outside! I felt instantly at home and believe I will be re-visiting that little haven quite frequently. Not knowing any of Megan's students, I picked a seat at the table and sat down. Two of her students sat on the left of me and across from me while Megan sat to my right. Everyone ordered cappuccinos and "banana cake". The girl to my right noticed I had nothing and asked, "Are you not ordering anything?" I replied, "No I don't really like coffee". She said, "but you like tea?" I said, "yes, I like tea". Her eyes lit up with humor at my statement, and she said "ah you are not born from America, you are from China. We call you CBA" She explained that they call Chinese Americans' "ABC's" (American Born Chinese), and how because I like tea and not coffee unlike most Americans, I am a CBA (Chinese Born American). She then proceeded to make my night when she said, "ah you look just like that actress from Gossip Girl, Black Lively!" Confused at who she meant, I said, "Blake?" And she replied with a convinced smile, "yes, yes, Black Lively". I laughed so hard at this statement because I think I look nothing like Blake Lively, but it definitely was one of the highlights of my night tonight! We both laughed and it kicked us off into a night-long evening of fun and conversation. Her English is almost the best I have heard apart from my Chinese co-workers. She is a Junior and her English name is Ri-Ri (pronounced Ree Ree). She choose this name because her favorite singer is Rihanna. Later in the evening, I learned Ri-Ri has a beautiful voice for herself as well! Anyways, so I sat in the coffee shop talking and laughing with Ri-Ri and her best friend Wendy! Wendy was much more shy than Ri-Ri, but I made her so happy when I told her that one of my best friends from home was named Wendy too! We talked about American pop culture, the TV shows they follow- which I am shocked at how much they follow! Then we began to talk about National Model United Nations. Both girls are active participants in this club on their campus and I smiled so big! I shared with them how I competed twice in college with my team in the competition in NYC. Their eyes became so big and they shared how funding does not allow them to travel out of China, yet. But they hope that in two years, they will be able to go and compete in it! After awhile, Ri-Ri and I got up and started scanning over the bookshelf! Praise Him because all of the titles and authors were like-minded! We began to talk about the faith, and I saw the Left Behind Series! Having brought two of the books from this series with me in my suitcases I jumped for joy on the inside! I showed her the book (which was in Chinese) and we began to talk about it! I explained the premise of the series and how it is kind of like a mystery genre as well as religious! The graphics on the cover drew her in and my description led to her explaining how she would look in to getting the book! We also saw the Good Word sitting there in Chinese. I picked it up and began flipping through it. I asked if she had ever read anything out of it, she said yes she began reading once in Genesis about the beginning with Adam and Eve. (She mentioned them by name!!) She said she got bored though and stopped reading it! I showed her the NT and explained how it was less boring and it shares more about the Savior's life. It is very historical and good to read. She agreed and said she did not know much and she was not like-minded. But from her countenance, I could tell she was open and not hostile to the Message. I ask a seed was planted and the rest of the year will be watering time!! I was floating in the clouds the rest of the evening though! It felt so liberating to be bold about what the Word is and why I don't listen to the music she loves from America. I loved every moment of the conversations tonight. After the coffee, we walked around talking about various things and letting out a little goofiness by dancing when we would walk by a restaurant with music! The Chinese students just giggled at us and were shocked to find out me and Megan could dance! They want to have a dance party at some point! Alls I gotta say about that is, let's go!! I am finding my crazy personality showing up more often the past two days than it has the whole six weeks I've been here. I believe I am adjusting and finding more confidence every morning I wake up. As my cross country Coach once told me, I have the gift of mirth! Having been missing it for the past few weeks, I am liberated to find it coming around more often, giving me the opportunity to love and serve those around me with my unique, individual gift!