Friday July 31, 2009
Today was our Valentine's Day party! We had a regular scheduled morning and afternoon curriculum, but instead of game time after recess we had our party. My kids drew names this morning for their secret valentine and my T.A. made cute Valentine bags for their lockers. After they made their cards they put them in their secret valentine's bag. During recess I filled their bags with goodies. My kids were angels today. I'm pretty sure it was because it was prize and Valentine party day...they know if they don't follow the class rules they don't get prizes. Either way we had a great time! It was really cute when I was saying goodbye to my kids they all said "Happy Valentine's Day teacher Michelle!" They are so precious! One of my kid's Grace's (she is the cute little girl who takes Kung Fu, which I took a few pictures of) parents are from the U.S. and they want to take me somewhere next week so I look forward getting to know them more. They are a sweet family. They actually have only been in Beijing for six weeks, three weeks when school started. When Grace's mom picked her up today she told me that Grace is learning a lot in my class, is very comfortable with me, and she said Grace told her she really likes school. You have no idea what an encouragement that was to hear! I really can't tell if the kids like me or if they are learning anything so it really means a lot to me when parents confirm that they do.

Tonight I got to go to my second fellowship/bible study with the people of Beijing! It really is so neat to be able to worship the same Mighty God in another nation! The man who opens his home up for the bible study was out of town in Los Angeles last weekend, but he leaves a key under his mat for young adults to use for fellowship. He is a really nice man. When I met him tonight, I found out he is good friends with my roommate Taylor's Criminal Justice professor, Professor Kung. They studied together at UTArlington. What a small world! He spoke tonight on Zacchaeus and guilt of sin. It was crazy that that was what he spoke on because they asked for a few of us to share our testimonies tonight and God had really pressed on my heart that He wanted me to share my testimony. I was praying for wisdom on what to speak about since we hardly had any time to prepare except about ten minutes. God pressed on my heart to share about my growing experience in the past year and He led me to Matthew 11:28, 30 and 1 Peter 5:7, which are verses that have really been dear to my heart over the past year. I always get so nervous before speaking, but God really gave me a calming Spirit. There was more I would have liked to have shared, but nothing every goes the way you plan. I felt bad because I speak really fast (especially when I'm nervous) and I think it was a little difficult for the translator to keep up. I was really nervous, but afterwards everyone was so affirming. I was very humbled. After the bible study, one of my teammates came up to me and told me he was very impressed with my speaking. He said I reminded him of his mother, who to him was one of the best speakers he has heard. I have always been very self-conscious about speaking in front of people, but what an encouragement! Of course I can't take ANY of the credit because it was ALL the Holy Spirit speaking His Mighty Word through me. It was a very humbling experience for me and I was very encouraged by it because I have always been hesitant to speaking in front of others. However, truly nothing gives me a greater joy than sharing the love of Christ and what He has done and is doing in my life that especially now after this experience I have confidence that the Lord will speak what He wants through me. I don't know why I didn't realize that before or doubt that because I know He provides and is faithful. Sometimes I guess I just have to experience to witness more of God's faithfulness. He is so good and I am so blessed to be in this City. He is doing such amazing things and I know there are so many more great things to come! Please pray against any Spiritual attacks that could distract us from what God has called here to do, share His precious love and word. Whether it is with lack of sleep/strength, teaching issues, government issues, or whatever just that we keep our eyes fixed upon His Son for He is our rock that we seek to be firmly planted in.

I better go it is pretty late and we are getting up early to go to the Temple of Heaven. Thanks so much for all of your prayers! Hope everyone has a wonderful start to the weekend!

"The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed His righteousness to the nations."
Psalm 98:2