Rants, Raves, and Ridiculosity

The life of a returning waiguoren...

Thursday, July 31, 2008

In case you're wondering...

Things I've done in the recent past:

Nested at Erin's house

Repierced my ear myself

Stayed up too late

Listened to 12 Chinese pod lessons

Taught swing dancing at a wedding of a couple I don't know

Made homemade salsa without the assistance of "the chopper"

Failed an attempt to restring a guitar

Ran through a downpour wearing a 55 gallon trash bag

Read The Shack

And tomorrow night I'm a fake contestant in a dating game for a friend's surprise birthday party!

Now you're updated. :)

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Funny

"Amy, you're such a hippie."

"And why exactly am I a hippie?"

"Because you eat fresh vegetables and stuff."

-Observation by my sweet, judgmental brother

Friday, July 25, 2008

Self-discipline

The source of 99% of all my problems: lack of self-discipline.

Normally I push it aside by comparing myself to others or being legalistic in my discipline, but it was revealed to me this morning that it is a major problem. In my Reading this morning I saw this: For He did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.

So every ounce of fear or timidity I let control my life is not from Him, it is from my SELF. The self that I supposedly died to years ago. I've always struggled with SELF, letting it become my focus, dare I say, idol!

If I look at my day, what is the majority of it focused on? Me. What will I eat? What will I do? How will I be entertained? Even in reading or studying - What can I get out of it?

I'll confess that I have a hard time being at home. I don't know what it is exactly, but I turn into a sullen, quiet, uninviting lump. Maybe it's the level of comfort. Perhaps it's time I get uncomfortable. I would be embarrassed for my friends to see the way I've wasted my time, just existing, like I've been on a vacation from life. I haven't exuded Love. I haven't opened any doors that would allow the Spirit to work through me. I've just shut down.

It's hard in America because it's easy to just blend in. I'm not really a part of just one core group that would keep me accountable. In China it's a little easier because we're in each other's business all the time. And I'm uncomfortable there. There's always an obvious reminder of why I'm the outsider and what I should be doing.

Even with something as basic as food, something He's given us, yes for enjoyment, but mainly for sustainenance and energy to...do work, I've construed into how can I fill my desires? Forget what my body NEEDS. I rarely think of my body as a temple, preserving it and caring for it to encourage years of service. Instead it's more like a Fun Park, "What do I want today?"

So I say all this to confess that I've been spending my time fulfilling my desires and not seeking out what He desires. And to ask for accountability. Call me out! I'll be better for it. And maybe you will to.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

American Life

So what am I doing now that I'm back in America? I'd say alot of nothing, but that's not entirely true. I'm trying to be productive in a lazy, recluse kind of way. I've done a lot of Reading and Studying, trying to soak up the Word and use my time wisely. I've also actually studied Chinese! A little. Been reading, emailing, catching up.

My travel plans have changed just a little. I should be in Nashville now toward the end of July and will stay through the middle of August. So if you're a Nashville peep, email me! I want to see you!

Still planning on heading back to China around the 21st of August or so. Please keep us in your Thoughts as we search for cheap tickets!

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Here

I'm in Orlando now after a series of long, but thankfully uneventful flights. I'm sooo jetlagged! But safely here. Thanks for your Thoughts.

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Leaving on a jet plane...

The school has agreed to send us by car to the airport in Wuhan tomorrow morning...yea!! That means we can skip the 5 hour bus ride, hauling our junk, spending the night, hauling our junk...

So we'll leave at 6 am for Wuhan, then fly to Guangzhou...L.A...Atlanta...Nashville.

Pray for us!

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

The end is near...

I never want to be the last person to leave a place ever again! Brad left like a month ago. Kim and Katie left yesterday. Most of my students and friends have gone home.

Previously we were all consumed with packing, cleaning, sorting, moving, and giving away. Now that all that is over time is creeping by.
Today's big goal: a hair cut.
Tomorrow's goal: throwing some clothes in a bag and taking a bus to Wuhan.
Friday's big goal: fly to America in the most ridiculous string of stops ever!

Beth and I should arrive in Nashville Saturday, July 5th in the morning. Then I'll be flying to Orlando that night to stay with my parents for a few weeks.

I hope to see all of my American pengyoumen! Think of us as we fly and try to get all of our stuff home. :)