Last few weekends in Shenzhen

My time in Shenzhen, China is slowly coming to an end. I am not contracted for next year, but that doesn't mean I am leaving Asia--at least I don't hope so. I will hopefully know more soon.

As the end of the year comes, we are realizing that none of us live in the same area of the states. We are doing the most that we can with the last few weeks! It is exciting and also very sad, but that is ok. I am learning to say see you later and follow through with it.

The most recent adventure was a day trip to Macau. Macau is a former Portuguese colony, Macau was administered by Portugal from the mid-16th century until 1999, when it was the last remaining European colony in China. It really is beautiful and full of color and different architect from the Portuguese. I felt a little bit like a nerd with loving all of it so much!

The year is coming to a close and new journeys are beginning for everyone. Please continue to pray for futures, trips and adjustments in new and old communities.

With love,
Ashley


Oh and here are some pictures of Macau!

Thirsty Thursday

Taking time today to be filled again. I found encouragement in these verses and in one of my favorite songs. Give it a listen :)

My Own Little World by Matthew West
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me- Matthew 25:35

But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14

For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. Isaiah 44:3


With Love,

Ashley

Peace in the Midst of Chaos

Whatever the outcome, God's guidance for your life remains the same. He is never late or forgetful to keep His promises(2 Peter 3:9) he holds all things together (Colossians 1:17), including this season. His purpose for you will never be thwarted (Isaiah 14:24). He will not trick or deceive you( I Samuel 15:29) but will lead you toward a fuller knowledge of Himself. And He is refining you in the little things to prepare you for something more. (Luke 16:10) whatever the outcome, you can put your doubt and discontent to rest-as you gain confidence in where God has called you to be.

Cherry Blossoms in the Spring

Are these not beautiful? I was in awe of these beautiful trees.

Where do you go for spring break--to get away from the fog and rain? To more rain--at least in Tokyo, Japan! There was no smog though.

I embarked on my last trip of the school year, let's be clear--SCHOOL year. I don't see myself not traveling the rest of 2013. I have this urge to go places, it just keeps getting bigger and bigger. It helps that everyone is extremely supportive and sends me so many encouraging messages and texts, it makes what I do, worth it.

I looked up when the Cherry Blossoms would come in Japan and realized it landed during my spring break. My friend Rebecca (you probably saw her in previous pictures, we went to Thailand/Malaysia/India this year) and I jumped on that opportunity. She has somehow decided to continue traveling with me, I'm proud of her for surviving :) It has been a joy to have someone just as enthusiastic about food and museums, as I am. We have had fun and I hope that we will have many more journeys in the future!

Where to start when it comes to Tokyo, I was surprised how quiet the streets were--it was eery. I live in China--it might be safe to say it is the loudest country in the world. If it is not, then I just haven't been to where it is louder. Every day I hear people yelling into their cell phones, at each other and just randomly at a wall--ok maybe not a wall. Everyone is just yelling. ALL. THE. TIME. Lets not forget cell phones being on loud while they play games, yes I do enjoy hearing you chop fake sushi, shooting at a robot or just listening to a movie. It can become stressful hearing all the sounds all the time. I am an extrovert and I love to be active, but the minute I am on the MTR (The subway) I am headphones in and canceling out all the sound around me, with something that calms me. Tokyo, you could hear a pin drop on their subway system, it is seen as rude to talk or to talk on your phone. I was impressed that everyone was following the rules and that it is enforced--I was a bit jealous.

The city is hustle and bustle, like any other city that I have been to. Men in their work suits, women in their pencil skirts and students in their uniforms--all very similar to what I have seen before. The only thing we couldn't seem to figure out was what time is dinner time, because restaurants were either not open, or we were the only ones eating when we did want to eat!

We did tons of museum and park hoping and got to see the blossoms--that can be checked off my bucket list. These trees bloom once a year and only last for a couple of weeks and then they are gone! There was one park we went to right when we got there and we visited on our last day--you would of thought it was a different park!



I had a wonderful time in Tokyo and thought the culture was great! I don't know if I will ever go back, but it was a great week spent with a great friend!! I ate more sushi than I could of imagined. I saw a more diverse part of Asia that was fantastic. I learned more about Japan, my knowledge was horrible. Overall it was fantastic!

Here are some more pictures of the trip!!