We have been in China for exactly 8 months today, and I am still amazed to be here! It has been a great year, and it has also been a constant lesson in “learning to let go.”This "letting go" process started last year with the letting go of our possessions, but recently I’ve been learning to give up my life in more difficult ways. It’s easy to humble myself when it is a benefit, but it is much more difficult to humble myself when there is no reward. More specifically, it is not easy to “let go” of my pride, but as it slips from my clutches, I am finding that it is being replaced with Grace, for which I am not worthy.
We have also been studying what it means to “open our hands” as we let go of our lives. When we “open our hands” our Father tenderly removes the things we think we need in order to make room for those things that we actually need!
Why are we grateful this week?
1) The week 10 evaluation seemed to go well. I’m sure we will hear the final results this week, but from what we saw, there were no problems.
2) Jess’ parents and younger brother will be arriving in China on Thursday, and we will spend our May holiday with them.
3) We had three outdoor English Clubs, on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday night last week. All three went well, and other then a little wind on Tuesday the weather was not a problem.
4) Tony surprised us by visiting on Wednesday. We spent the day together, and had dinner with students after our English Club. It was a great surprise and encouragement!
5) Jess and I made it to Beijing and back on Saturday for an English Club with Tony and Lily. It was a crazy day, but the Club went well.
Please continue to “think” about us.
1) We will be making at least two more trips to the Philip Hayden Foundation before the end of the year. Please remember these children in your thoughts. These really have been great day trips for us, and our students. We are hoping to continue this next year.
2) Unfortunately, our digital camera was broken earlier this month, and it cannot be fixed properly. I was able to patch the problem with an exacto-knife and tape, so if we are lucky it will last until this summer. We would like to continue to share our adventures with everybody back home.
3) The month of May is upon us and that means there will be many English Weeks at various colleges. The different groups have finished their training and are preparing to come to China for two weeks. Please remember these teams in your thoughts. Also, remember Newt and Tony as they spend over a month traveling from college to college organizing these weeks.
4) As many of you know Lily, is pregnant. She has been doing well, but please keep her in your thoughts. Tony and Lily will be apart for most of the month because of the various English weeks.
5) As I mentioned earlier, Jess’ family will be visiting this week. Please remember their travels in your thoughts.
Thank you,
Brad & Jess
