Friday August 14, 2009

Today was probably one of the hardest days I have ever had!We had a fun day today, we colored, watched movies, had recess/free time, and had a party at the end of the day.With about half an hour left in the day my T.A. began to cry and then on of my girls, Liu Yong started as well.I didn't think I was going to cry, but as soon as my first student started to leave waterfalls poured out of me.I couldn't stop crying.Parents and the kids were hugging me, but anyone I saw crying, especially my kids, I lost it.We had a debriefing of the whole summer program at a meeting with the staff after school and they asked us to give any feedback, suggestions or things we really liked about the program and as I started to speak I started to ball again.Everyone laughed at me because I just couldn't hold it together.

We had a farewell dinner with the T.A.s tonight at the Tex Mex restaurant we ate at after the Great Wall.The T.A.s had never had Mexican food.I ordered Nicola enchiladas, quesadillas, and Mexican ice cream.She absolutely loved it all!I was so glad!She told me she couldn't wait to bring her family here to have them try the food and she was so appreciative.Since Nicola and I were all cried out for the day we had a joyful "see you later."She was not able to stay a couple more days with the other T.A.s because it was her and her father's birthday this weekend.I bought her a Chinese/English bible, a stone magnet that says 1 Corinthians 4:8, "Love never fails;" and a pearl necklace and earrings.She said she loved all of them and I already saw her excited about her new bible and showing the other T.A.s.That was cool!I am going to miss her so much!She is amazing and is so beautiful inside and out!She asked me if she could continue to ask any questions she had over the bible over email--I am determined to keep up with her!I hope and pray that she will one day soon know how much she is loved and desired by God!

Today was seriously one of the hardest days I have ever had.I had invested so much time and energy into teaching and building a friendship with Nicola.They will always hold a special place in my heart!I had such a strange array of emotions.By the time we got back to the hotel I was so emotionally drained that I passed out on my team talking to me, but they understood.It had been a hard day for us all, but God has truly blessed our time here and we rest in peace with His promises.

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."

Hebrews 10:22