Not In Control

This has been a really strange weekend. Most of the foreigners here agreed that we all felt a little flat for some reason. Sunday in particular. However, we had a really good weekend. I got up early on Saturday and went with nine of my students to hike up a mountain and have a picnic. I made the mistake of assuming that it would be over by 1 or 2 p.m. I should know better than to make such presumptions in China. We actually hiked up to the top of the mountain for a great view! The weather was a little foggy when we started out, but by the time we were getting ready to come down from the summit, the sun had burned most of the haze off. It was neat to be away from the noise of the city and to sit looking over the silent buildings. I wondered if that was similar to some experiences that the Good Shepherd had around the hills of Jerusalem. We went back down the mountain halfway and stopped for our picnic next to a small mountain spring. We spent two hours cooking the food, but it was worth it, since all my students seem to be really good cooks! After lunch we finished our descent, and I didn't get back to school until 5 p.m.! It was definitely worth the time spent with my students, and I also learned of a really great spot very close to where I live!


I guess I realized this weekend that we can have things going really well in so many ways, and still not be completely happy within ourselves. He is the one who provides our happines, and without Him, it doesn't matter how smoothly things go. This simply adds to my thoughts as I think about my plans for the future. Going home, grad school, jobs, all of these things can go great, but won't be worth much if I don't acknowledge His control. I just have to let go.

I'm out of control, and I think I like it.

Putting On The Working Gloves

I have actually been pretty busy the past two weeks. One class of students is the same as last term, only now, I have them twice as often (two times a week). It is strange to see how much they have opened up to me this term already, especially considering how much space there was between us last term. I've already eaten lunch with a few, and last night, I was invited to "hot pot" dinner with 9 of the guys in the class. I was afraid they were going to get drunk, but to my surprise, after I told them my stance, there were very respectful, and only a few drank--but only in moderation. I felt that it was a minor victory. However, I did get to bond with them very much, and I'm sure it He helped me with this opportunity.

I'm very happy with my class schedule as of right now, but I knew it wouldn't remain like this for long. I got a phone call from the department "liason" asking me to prepare another syllabus for a sophomore level oral english class starting in about two weeks. I'm just hoping it doesn't interfere too much with my present schedule, since my free time seems more towards the weekends right now, ensuring me a few "travel" weekends.

Besides my classes, I feel I am spending more time with others than I did last term, another reason I'm busy. My students are just one example, and I'm finding myself with other people, foreign and chinese, more and more. I'm hoping to spend a little more time with a few of Darla's students, especially since they are interested in a friendship with me and a relationship with Him.

Work seems to have started off on the right foot in several ways this term, and I hope the momentum keeps up. On a side note, there is additional work going on in our building right now. A work crew has been gutting one of the bottom floor apartments and is turning it into more offices (I think). This being a concrete building, I can hear everything that goes on down there. Every hammer strike, saw cut, and roter grind. Those guys are very punctual as well, starting promptly at 7:30 a.m., even on the days I don't have class (I feel especially bad for Fletcher who lives on the second floor, just above the work). You gotta love the Chinese work ethic!