Sunday Thoughts May 26th, 2008

Storms can be exciting, fun, and dangerous. In the midst of a storm we might struggle, panic, cower, or foolishly believe that we are in control. We are not in control, and until we realize who is in control, we will always be fighting against the storms in our lives. He calmed the storms!

Why are we grateful this week:

1) If you do not know yet, we were able to alter the plans for English Week. Unfortunately, it will not be in Langfang, but we were able to switch colleges at the last minute. The team is now about two hours away in Baoding. Although we are disappointed that they were unable to come to our college, it is amazing to us that they were able to find a new location with such short notice. 17 teachers, $2000 each, and nowhere to go; “He calmed the storm!”

2) The English Week Team made it safely to Baoding. They had a five hour delay in Chicago, but other then that there have been relatively few problems. We took the two hour bus ride to visit them over the weekend, and they were doing well. They are very excited about the upcoming week, and have been jokingly referring to their trip as “Operation Flex.”

It was great to see the team! We talked with old friends, played basketball with students, toured the campus, participated in the first English Club, and went to a leadership seminar for the Chinese teachers. It was revitalizing to see the excitement of the English Week teachers!

We had to return to Langfang for 8am Monday morning classes, but due to a slight miscalculation, there were no more buses leaving from Baoding to Langfang until Monday. So we went to the train station, and found the same results. We finally settled on an overpriced taxi. We were tired, sad to be leaving our friends for the week, and our driver insisted on smoking. When we arrived outside of Langfang, our driver refused to take us into town, and left us in the middle of the highway to find our way back to the college. When we finally got back to the campus just before 10pm, we stopped at the local convince store and bought some ice-cream. As we walked the final 100 yards to our apartments, I enjoyed my ice-cream and thought, “He calmed the storms!”

3) A wise man once said: “Don’t tell Him how big your storm is, tell you storm how big He is!” We are grateful that He calms the storms in our lives!

Please continue to “think” about us:

1) Jet-lag is in full force for the English Week team. Please keep them in your thoughts! The English Week team is: Joe Paolella, Brian Kough, Tim Phillips, Jeffrey Guinn, Emily Guinn, Beth Rivera, Stephen Rivera, Ryan Betty, Laura Sauvain, Dana English, Bethany Thornton, Nancy Suter, Damond Lassiter, Jessica Samblee, Claire Hetrick, and Newt Hetrick.

2) We are trying to finalize our contracts for next year. We return home in less than 20 days, and we are worried that this will not be completed before we return to the United States, even though we started this process over a month ago. Finalizing our contracts also includes the reimbursement of our airfare, $1500 each.

3) The college has agreed to have five full-time IECS English teachers next year, and they have also said that they are looking for a Native Japanese teacher. We have been pushing for a sixth teacher, but it looks like there will only be five next year. The odds are slim, but if you know somebody who is Japanese, like-minded, and interested in teaching in China, please do not hesitate to recommend them. Otherwise, please keep it in your thoughts.

Thank you for your thoughts,
Brad and Jessie

May 17, 2008: The Great Wall Marathon

I am not an athlete.

I tried softball when I was little. I remember that I wanted to play softball because my brother played baseball. The Hustlers were the best team in our league, so I spent most of my time on the bench. My father had to argue with the coach to put me in the game. I think we won the local championship that year, but it certainly wasn’t because of me. I was too busy ducking from the ball and picking daisies in right field. Halfway through the next season, I decided that the uniforms were too much to wear in the summer heat. I asked to stay home, and my parents happily obliged.

I tried ballet when I was older, with much the same results. I didn’t like rehearsals, and I dreaded the final performances. The leotards and crowns were itchy, and I wanted to stay home and read books.

Gym class was a comedy. I benched a bar with no weights. I was the last one to finish every mile run. I had the lowest number of sit-ups, push-ups, and chin-ups. I couldn’t touch my toes or jump over the high jump. I couldn’t dribble, throw, hit, or kick with any accuracy. Awkwardness and weakness defined my every movement.

In high school, tennis was my new dream. No one wanted to be on the tennis team. I was told that ANYONE who came out to play would make the tennis team. My family liked to play tennis at the park, so I thought I’d give it a try. For my birthday, my family gave me a new racket and some neon yellow tennis balls. I went to every pre-season practice with joy and commitment, and loved the team camaraderie. A week before the season began, the coach pulled me aside. It turned out that not just ANYONE could make the team. I was the only one cut that season, before I ever played in a single game.

Fast-forward 10 years. I am now married to a super-athlete. Fantasy sports, team sports, coaching. You name it; Brad loves it. Before we were dating, I began training for a marathon to impress him, but quit after reaching 7 miles. He had run 5 marathons, and 9 ultra-marathons. Running a marathon became a secret dream of mine. It sounded perfect for a non-athlete like me. You can run as slow as you want; the only catch is you have to keep running. It’s the only sport I can think of where everyone wins when they cross the finish line.

So, it was with some hesitation (and after swearing him to secrecy) that I explained to Brad that one of my dreams was to complete a marathon. He was, of course, thrilled to help me. He immediately downloaded Hal Higdon’s Novice Training Schedule from the Internet. Before I knew it, I was running 4 out of every 7 days. My 12 to 15-minute miles were nothing to brag about, but for me, every mile was an accomplishment. The little girl who was the embarrassment of the gym class, now found herself jogging around the track for hours. I was daily spurred on by students and teachers around the track, and by Brad’s words of encouragement or prodding as needed.

Running through sickness, winter winds, freezing cold, rain, dirt, heat, sun, and floating pollen was not exactly my idea of a good time. Some days ended in tears or collapse as I fought blisters, cramps, aches, and fatigue. The most difficult fight was against myself, as my mind daily reminded me of my previous failures in the realm of sports. I fought feelings of discouragement as the marathon date came closer. Living in China for the year, Brad and I didn’t have too many marathons to choose from. So we’d chosen to run the Great Wall Marathon, one of the world’s most difficult adventure marathons. Feelings of dread at the heights, stairs, and uphill climbs of the Great Wall loomed ahead.

During race week, I was miserable. Whereas I had done great in my 20-mile run, I now struggled mentally with my 2 and 3 mile runs. It was during this time that I remembered why I was running the marathon. I was not running it to break any speed records. I had decided to run to practice self-discipline and a healthy lifestyle. I had decided to run because I saw the training and marathon as something that Brad and I could enjoy together. (Brad said that running a marathon together was the equivalent of an 8-hour date.) I had decided to run because I admired Brad for running marathons, and it was a dream of mine to finish one. I had decided to run 26.2 miles (42 K) to prove to myself that I could do it. Finally at peace with the coming marathon, I was calm and relaxed for race day.

The race weekend was great. On Friday, we met a group of foreigners for the 3-hour bus ride and soaked up the stories of those who had run the course before. After arriving at our picturesque ivy-covered hotel at the Great Wall, we explored the Wall and the area for opening ceremonies. At dinner and breakfast, we shared the anticipation of the course with first-timers and old-timers. We made friends all weekend with people from all over the world, exchanging e-mails and Facebook accounts.

The morning of the race dawned cool and overcast—perfect weather for a marathon. We were up packing our bags at 5am. I was frustrated to realize that I’d forgotten my sports bra! We asked around, but weren’t able to find anyone who could lend me a sports bra. In the end, I was standing in a room under the stands (immodestly surrounded by mirrors and windows) being “bound” in a cotton wrap and gauze by a Danish first aid woman. My new “bra” was surprisingly comfortable, but I put my regular bra on over it, and rubbed vaseline under its edges just in case.

The race itself justified the 5 months of training. After the starting gunshot, we walked forward until we crossed the starting line, activating the timers on our shoes. It was an uphill climb to the Wall, where we were met with breathtaking views and staggering heights. I had to hold Brad’s hand or shoulder during the descents to bear the sheer drops and vertigo. The path was so narrow at times that we had to walk single file, or hold on to a rope lest we drop into the abyss beyond. At times there was no wall, but only stairs, and frequently there was no railing. Sometimes there were no stairs, but only a dirt path or a rock scramble. After descending from the Wall, we ran through the starting gate again, and then 20 miles through the surrounding villages and countryside. We made friends along the way, like John the chiropractor, and Roxie the encourager. We ate bananas, and drank water and Gatorade.

Mentally and physically, the course was exhausting. There were times when I would have much rather quit than kept going. Given my vertigo on the heights, I certainly did not want to climb the Wall the second time at 22 miles. If it weren’t for Brad’s encouragement, and the encouragement of our new friends, I probably wouldn’t have made it. I doubt I have ever felt such physical fatigue, but as we approached the finish line, I knew that it was worth it. As I ran the last 1 K at a slow jog, and finally crossed the finish line I felt nothing at first but relief and exhaustion. Race officials announced Brad’s and my name as we crossed the finish line in 7 hours: 58 minutes: 42 seconds. Others placed medals around our necks. Only 2 people crossed the finish line after us before the race ended for the day. It was then that I realized that I had earned a medal. I had certainly never received a medal for anything like this before. Exhilaration replaced exhaustion. I finished! We finished!

During the 3-hour bus ride home I felt disbelief at the accomplishment of my dream. It’s great to know that there is a place where “the slow and steady win the race.” My success has boosted my confidence in myself and in my physical abilities. In the days since the marathon, I have been enjoying my “Zero Week” of rest and relaxation from running. But I’m realizing that running a marathon doesn’t end there. During the past five months, running has become a part of my lifestyle, and a hobby that I now share with my husband. Yesterday, as I watched Brad create new marathon schedules for the summer months, I realized that I am really looking forward to doing this again in the future.

So maybe I’m not an athlete. But I’ve run a marathon. :)

Love,
Jessie

Sunday Thoughts May 18th, 2008

“Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials… because you know that the testing…develops perseverance.” This week has been a lesson in joy and perseverance! It started with the earthquake on Monday, a huge disappointment concerning English Week on Thursday, and finished with eight hours of The Great Wall on Saturday.

Why are we grateful this week:

1) Our dinner with students on Thursday night went well. The four of us worked together to make an American style breakfast to serve to our students for dinner. It was great to see our students get excited about eating pancakes and French toast for the first time! It was also fun to share childhood stories after the meal as we reminisced about some of our favorite holiday memories.

2) Jess and I completed the Great Wall Marathon on Saturday! The landscape was beautiful, and I probably spent more time taking pictures and shooting video than I did actually running. We ran the whole way together!

3) Newt and Claire made it safely to Langfang today and, as always, they have been a great encouragement for us.

Please continue to “think” about us:

1) We have run into opposition with English Week. A few days ago our administrators informed us that English Week would be canceled. At this late notice, all arrangements have been made, and the 17 teachers will arrive in Beijing next Friday. Unfortunately, there was a recent notice from the city authorities restricting events on college campuses in Langfang. We are obviously very disappointed with this news from the city authorities, but we are investigating other options and hoping that these restrictions can be lifted within the next couple days.

Most of all, this experience has helped us realize how much we appreciate our Authority. Our Authority, the Authority we answer to, does not change! Our Authority does not speak without acting, he does not promise without fulfilling! Like a home built on a solid foundation, we can stand strong even in the midst of any storm.

Please continue to think about the English Week team: Joe Paolella, Brian Kough, Tim Phillips, Jeffrey Guinn, Emily Guinn, Beth Rivera, Stephen Rivera, Ryan Betty, Laura Sauvain, Dana English, Bethany Thornton, Nancy Suter, Damond Lassiter, Jessica Samblee, Claire Hetrick, and Newt Hetrick.

2) As many of you already know, there was a devastating earthquake in China last Monday afternoon. Our lives have been relatively unaffected since we were about 900 miles away from the epicenter. Jess, Peter, and Shannon were all teaching at the time. Some classes were evacuated during the brief moments of mild tremors, but others did not even notice. I read about the earthquake on the Internet 15 minutes after the fact and was surprised that it had happened because it was so mild that I did not notice.

However, even though the earthquake has had a minimal affect on our lives, many others were not as lucky. As I read the daily news, I am heartbroken; we feel like we are so close to this tragedy, but there is so little that we can do. The pain and suffering is obvious in the photographs and video of Chengdu. Yet, I am reminded that this is the same pain that many of our students are experiencing for various reasons, and we are here to attend to that suffering. Please continue to remember our students as they struggle with the meaning of life in the face of this great tragedy.

Thank you for your thoughts,
Brad and Jessie

Sunday Thought’s May 11th, 2008

There’s no place like home! We have spent the past ten days traveling, and when we returned to Langfang last night, I had just enough energy to unpack, complete my daily run, and crawled into bed. It was a sweet feeling to return home, and as I fell asleep, I thought: “There’s no place like home.”

Our time in China has dramatically changed my perception of “home.” It’s strange to think that we now consider Langfang, China “home,” and yet it is not our home! This world is not our home; we are strangers in this world! How sweet it will be when we return to our true home!

Why are we grateful this week:

1) Jess’ family visited and returned to America yesterday! We spent ten days with Jess’ parents and younger brother Josh, but we missed Kristy, Karilyn, Kerri, & James. We had a great time showing them around Langfang, Beijing, and Qinhuangdao. During their stay we held an English Corner, visited the Philip Hayden Foundation, and toured the Great Wall! We also visited or friends in Qinhuangdao for an evening of their English week.

2) It has also been an exciting time for Shannon and Peter as they continue with their wedding plans. They went to Beijing on Saturday to buy some gifts and pick up Shannon’s finished wedding dress.

Please continue to “think” about us:

1) The English are coming! Langfang’s English Week is less than two weeks away, and many other campuses are either finished or in the middle of their English weeks. We will have the final English Week of the year on our campus from May 23rd to June 1st. Please remember the team coming to Langfang: Joe Paolella, Brian Kough, Tim Phillips, Jeffrey Guinn, Emily Guinn, Beth Rivera, Stephen Rivera, Ryan Betty, Laura Sauvain, Dana English, Bethany Thornton, Nancy Suter, Damond Lassiter, Jessica Samblee, Claire Hetrick, and Newt Hetrick. Chris Buda will be leading another team to a campus in Tianjin.

2) This Thursday we will invite students to an American style dinner. We did this earlier in the semester with a Mexican style dinner, and it was a tremendous success. This time we will be serving some of our favorite American breakfast foods for dinner.

3) About a week ago we were very encouraged to find out that one of our administrative advisors had asked Tony for a very special reference book! It is our hope that it will be very useful for the rest of his life.

4) Recently, we have been very concerned about a male foreigner who has recently appeared on our campus. He is not affiliated with IECS or ELT Edge, but he has been spending an increasing amount of time with some of our female students, and we are worried about his motives. He has made the trip to China to visit students at least four times this year. We are not sure how to proceed with this situation, but we are very concerned for some of our students.

5) Jess and I will be running the Great Wall Marathon this Saturday. It will be Jess’ first marathon, and I will probably run with her.

6) Our camera is still limping along. We just want it to last until we make it back to the United States in June.

Thank you for your thoughts,
Brad and Jessie