Blog Archive

Monday, September 5, 2011

Office Hours


I am writing to you from my office desk on the fourth floor of building number 3 at Hua Qaio. My desk faces the desk of my colleague Linda, as both our desks sit right next to an open window. I look out the window and I feel a gentle breeze hit my face as winter promises to come soon. I stare at the sun shining in and beg it to not let winter damper it’s warmth. My southern California body is not quite comfortable with the idea of a “long winter”.

Today is my first day on the job, if you will. Yesterday was my first day in my new apartment. The only thought that continues to roll across my mind is: I am blessed. I want to begin by filling you in on my apartment! (My mom always has a trillion questions so here are the details for you mom!) I am living in building #1 on the fourth floor. There are two apartments on each floor. I live across the hall from my teammate Abby and I am so excited to share my floor with her. She has a beautiful, and generous heart. I know I have much to learn from her! On the second, and third floor are my teammates Megan, Kelley, and Emily. On the six floor in our building are what we have affectionately nicknamed “Vandal”. Val and Dan are our team leaders, but when we go to say their names it often times comes out Van and Dal…. Hence we decided it’d be easiest to name them the Vandals. In the building next to us are the men on our team. Megan, Kelley, Emily and I just received the keys to our apartments on Sunday. We were in temporary housing living out of our suitcases and it was not the most enjoyable transition. But Sunday morning, while we were out at the local vegetable market, our apartments were prepared for us! So when we came back, we moved right in!! I have never felt more peace than I did unpacking and hanging my clothes. I put my suitcases away and looked out my view- it’s beautiful! I can see the whole campus and all the beautiful grass that surrounds the little river that runs through the middle of it. I have a perfect view of the sunset every night as well! Praise Him for creating color!! The sunsets are by far radiating His glory every night! Changchun is a “green” city and therefore, there are always blue skies! No Pollution! It felt so permanent last night- as if I was supposed to be here all along. I truly am enjoying this adventure. The only bummer about my apartment is that it NEEDs to be decorated! I was able to buy a vase for flowers and a zebra rug for my living room, but other than that I have a lot of bare, pink walls. Yes Madeline, the walls are pink! You would love it!! So next weekend break, I aim to find some frames to put pictures up and posters of some sort!

Last night we had fellowship together at the Vandals. It was pure and sweet. I think that is one of my favorite things about the organization I am here with- they promote and foster that community within the body out on the field. We shared what the Spirit is teaching us. It took quite a bit of time for all 11 of us to share but I felt my heart singing the whole time at the work of His hands in so many different and unique lives. I just love the Father and how capable He is. I love hearing the hearts of my teammates and learning more about them. There will be much iron sharpening iron this year! PTL!

Today I walked to my new office building by myself. It’s about a 10-15 minute walk across campus and up the four flights of stairs! Yay! I walked in and met Linda! There was no desk for me set-up, but the non-English department secretary was quick to fix this. She dumped all sorts of stuff out of the desks to prepare one for me. (I think it was some other faculty members’ desk that got jacked! L ) But, it just shows the unique kindness of this culture. This morning I worked on my semester plan for my Freshman classes. I put together a power point for my English Corner classes and feel excited for this year to unfold! So many times during the day today as I sat in the office as an employee of a University- I couldn’t help but think I am my mother’s daughter. Mom, I know understand your passion for education and youth! While planning my lessons, it was so enjoyable to think of how the lessons might influence their lives! It is a rewarding job and I haven’t even begun to teach yet! Linda and I talked quite a bit this morning! She is so sweet! She is a Changchun native, worked at Hua Qaio for the past 10 years, and has a daughter named Ella who is 4. Her English is excellent. We talked a bit about the California weather and how different it is here. Then she asked me if it was my first time in China- I replied yes. She followed asking if I had any pre-conceived notions before coming. I said yes- [I took a brave step here(at least for me)] and brought up how Americans think religion is strictly prohibited here, and how I have seen that it is not. Rather, it is discouraged if it is interlaced to politics. I was a bit nervous bringing up religion, but she was quick to agree. She said that Chinese people don’t care so much about religion. Each person has their own life and that’s all that matters. Religion is not a big deal here. My heart goes out to her. I know how to be on my knees for her and others. I hope to be used to plant seeds differing from that perspective. There is a reason for my placement in this office with these teachers. I hope that reading this you too will seek to see a similar purpose for your placement at your work. Planting seeds should occur no matter where we are… is there someone that you have been colleagues with for years but you still haven’t shared your Hope with them? I know in my life in the U.S. it was rare for me to share my Hope unless asked. It was as if I assumed they already knew and had already made a decision because our society is well aware of the Father. But, why do I make that judgment? I hope to change that beginning here and carrying it on over whenever He calls me back to the U.S. I urge you to begin to ask Him to put a name on your heart of whom you might need to reach out too. Don’t we all want to experience His Glorious being together?

Good Book says: “In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us”

1 comment:

  1. I am encouraged! Your work life is beginning! Praying for you. Love you, dad

    ReplyDelete