The Great Wall

This weekend, while having a retreat with the women's group ,I got to climb the great wall! Seriously, it was amazing! I've seen so many pictures and had many friends go, I really enjoyed my time there. I met people from Spain and Germany. It was incredible,beautiful and a trek. One of my favorite parts was going down the slide-way- a scooter/toboggan run down to the bottom. It was ALOT of fun, definitely plan on taking any visitors to this section of the wall. Got 2 Skype calls tonight! Yeah, love being able to stay connected.

peace

Reflection and solitude have become a staple in my life. My dear friends introduced to me Henri Nouwen, and I am now completing (the 4th book I've read) "Turn My Mourning into Dancing", I really enjoy it. It's a time for me to cut all the crap and realize what's in my heart. It gets me reflecting on the core of life, and when I really tune into that I care little about the impression I give people, and am myself. Today, another teacher said, you ok? you look so tired?  This is at least like the fifth comment I've gotten this week, and so I spent lots of today in mind wondering why I look so tired, am I tired, do I act tired, is my make-up on wrong, should I color my hair,get a hair cut, is it the air here, is my posture bad,anything. The thing is in my experience when working with kids who are sensitive to their environment, they pick up on whatever emotion adults think they are hiding. So today was tough for both or us, he fell off his chair totally bit it on the floor, screamed of course cause news to everyone who stared at him- he's 5. He's not hurt, but wasn't himself, and I was worrying like crazy about how tired I looked. So today when we got home and he  had a mini melt down moment, I realized not all that frustration was his. Sure some of you may disagree,5 years of being with kids who read people straight through tells me otherwise. I need to lay down my worry, so what if I look tired, I sleep. What's more important to me is that Eli doesn't sense worry from me and internalize that himself. It's hard to see that frustration in a child, it's been a year since I've had kids who can read me regardless of the face I put on, just reminded me that I need to rest my spirit in Dad. I'm also grateful that I'm blessed with a buddy who is a daily reminder to keep my heart true. Just another encouragement for me that I need my reflection time.  Knowing his heart isn't disrupted or overloaded b/c my peace of heart is being compromised, is my priority, at least I hope tomorrow if anyone says anything I just don't care.   




Reading list:   "Let your life speak" by Parker Palmer, and "Here and Now" by Henri Nouwen as well.     Great reads if you like books like Crazy Love and Ragamuffin Gospel.

First Day!

Eli and I on his first day! Such a cutie isn't he! He was terrific, lots of transition for both of us. Every school has a different "feel" his is one of a family, very dedicated, passionate educators who all greeted him by name today-meant alot to me! His teacher is amazing,she truly is current in the field,passionate about her students and values what counts! 

Some of my overseas family

My Host family, taken last year.

Eli, my partner in crime! He is a bit bigger now, so his smile takes up all his cute little face! 

Here we are eating Chuanr, grilled lamb,eggplant,garlic etc on a stick. Eva and Enoch on the end(green) are  part of my family, the other two are our friends.

Eva, at the park across the street(not the norm).

Enoch, at an indoor play place, Fundazzle.

Arrival

Well, who knew  my transition would have been such a smooth one. It feels like home here more so than any other country I've visited. They have peanut butter in the grocery store, and items are much cheaper than in Hawaii! I'm amazed at how things are done here for such a low cost. My hosts here let me pick out my own bedding, as in went to the market, picked out the fabric myself matched it and they blessed me with pillows to match too. I was excited to get one of those round skinny ones, ya know that are way too expensive at home. I love the family I'm working with already. Their son is amazing, cheerful , sensitive and with it. I got to experience his excitement for his first day of school Monday. We went to the orientation, he meet all the teachers he will have and sat through a seriously boring meeting, that I bailed out on because it was so long. When we got home with his uniforms, he and his mom were checking if it fit and he burst into giddy laughter. So for about 15 min, I got to experience the pure joy of his heart in going to school. It occurred to me as I lifted him up to the mirror to see his whole outfit, that once ignorance would have kept him out of school. Especially here, there is still a huge stigma for "special needs" children and they are abandoned,aborted, or dropped off at orphanages. I'm just grateful my path crossed with his, after all it's been two weeks and my joy is returning to me tenfold. Perhaps it's because he has already taught me to slow down and enjoy the journey. Wish you could have heard the giggles, laughter and compliments from all of us. It was a precious, precious moment, I could sense our Father smiling, and feel His passion for justice igniting in my heart. One of His beloved, included as intended!