About three months ago I set off on a new adventure, an unknown adventure, but an exciting adventure. Myself and ten other people set off to come and teach english in China, I had no idea what I was doing, but fell in love with this country and the people that are here, enough to come back and teach.
10,248 miles away from everyone I love and everything I considered safe, and according to google maps a 37 day kayak ride back to America, I doubt that, but who knows :P I thought I was mentally preparing myself all of my senior year for this chance to take a job abroad and teach english for a year, I just want to tell you, whoever you are reading this, there is no preparing for the whirlwind adventure of moving abroad. I thought I would be able to say goodbye, be able to call China "home", it has almost been one week and I am still dealing with those goodbyes, and slowly making my new apartment home in. I eagerly await emails and stories from friends back home, while trying to do everything through out my day, staying connected is one of my goals for this year.
yes I am that many miles away, but still encouraging my friends and family through Him, every chance I get, is all I want to do. Encouraging them and encouraging the people I am surrounded by, helping everyone I can with what He has given me. I was reminded of a verse a week ago, something I took to heart, something I plan on doing all year long. "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” something to live by and strive for with His help and guidance to share his word with everyone.
My adventure in China started with a sorrowful goodbye at LAX with family and close friends (who are family) Jessica my friend is also teaching here, about 20 minutes at the middle school-I taught at this summer. It has been nothing but wonderful to have a fellow sister in Christ and friend here with me. I have had many good cries since before I even left, worrying about people back home, nervous for what lies ahead, where God is taking me, a scary adventure that awaits. We arrived and landed in Shenzhen with no one to pick us up from the airport, the adventure started there, getting to my apartment at 2 in the morning in China, exhausted and sad. We did it! but oh was it exhausting!
Everything has been going okay, my school has not really updated me too much expect for the last day, it made my homesickness worse, I had two days where I was ready to buy my ticket back to America. But the parentals always told me once you have committed yourself to something you have to stick with it, so there is no going back...I must push forward and there is only one person who can help me along that way and that is Him and I am learning every day how much I need to trust him and let him take the wheel.
Some adventures I have had are buying a subway pass, buying a cell phone sim card, setting up a Chinese bank account, all these big kid adventures, all in Chinese of course.
I am slowly starting to understand some of the language, or at least what someone is trying to say to me, I am hoping to find someone to teach me the language soon. That way I can become a little more independent and actually know what someone might be asking me!!
I also was able to visit the school from this summer and visit all of my friends, bittersweet to see them, I missed the China team from CUI but it was nice to see familiar faces in China, friends that will be in my life for a long time.
the adventure continues with this week planning lessons! I got my office spot today and will be making it more home with pictures and other things of home, things to remind me to keep on going. The other fellow teachers were nothing but sweet to me, encouraging and really excited for me to be there, I hope I can deliver whatever they might be expecting. I am excited to get to know each of them.
Thank you for the prayers, the support, the messages, the comments, and the love. I can never tell you how grateful I am.
I love you all.
Ashley
Prayer Requests
That I find peace-where I am and with not being there for events in my family and friends life back home during this year.
Apartment gets set up and I make it more like home, it will help with the transition.
That I can be able to show the light.
Staying in the word daily, and praying, not falling asleep or just not doing it in the morning or at night.
That I can find a good middle ground with contacting back home and knowing my limits of when is too much or when I am not doing it enough.
Ashley, I love reading your blog! I admire you so much for what you are doing and what you have done. You are very inspiring and very courageous! Of course you can do this! With God ALL things are possible. I hope things get more comfortable for you real soon. I know you miss your family & friends, as I'm sure they miss you, but this is such a awesome opportunity & experience for you. I will constantly include you in my prayers! Be safe, have fun, and (even though, I know Bob, she's not in the Army) BE ALL THAT YOU CAN BE! Take Care. Love ya! Ginny
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