Less than a month...

I woke up this morning feeling like my days are quite numbered here in China... I only have 3 weeks of classes left, and then a few days after that I'll begin the journey home to America. How do I feel about that, especially since China has become my home? My students insist that now I'm much more Chinese than American. Sometimes my friend, Reborn, will laugh and say, "Laura, you are so Chinese when you did that!" Another student said that when he looks at me, he doesn't see me as a foreigner. Just a friend.

Every Friday I eat lunch and hang out with my friend Reborn for a long time. We are starting to become a bit weepy that we will soon be parting ways. I said that I could call her and email her. But she said that wouldn't be the same; she wouldn't be able to see my smile, touch my shoulder, hug me, or see my face when I always ask her in Chinese, "Zenme le??" (What's the matter?) I almost cried at this point, but I realized I will have time for plenty of crying later.

I'm just enjoying spending time with her. I can't believe how much she has changed. She is absolutely radiant and confident. I hope that she will continue to make the Father her own Father, even after I leave. I hope that He will hold her in the palm of His hands, even if everyone is against her or opposed to her. She is already such a light in this dark place. I don't want to forget her little crimpy, poofy black hair, her sparkling eyes, and how she can be both thoughtful and humorous at the same time.

So now I feel like I'm also trying to encourage, encourage, encourage her. I want to throw out as much wisdom as possible, but I think at this point she needs to remember this: The Son is the only thing or person that can ever fully satisfy her. He is the only One who will never leave or forsake her. I told her this today. It probably doesn't hurt for me to also mull over that truth...

And as my last lessons are winding down, I feel like I'm also trying to impart some last words of wisdom to my students. Even if they don't remember a word of English I taught them (which might be true), I want them to remember that I loved them with His love.

This week we have been talking about honesty and truth. Apparently they think Chairman Mao Zedong came up with the saying, "Honesty is the best policy." When I told them, no, he didn't invent that saying, they were a bit disappointed. I also shared with them from the Word, "The truth will set you free" and who said that. They really seemed to ponder that for a while, especially since they had never heard that.

Despite the rain and our impending departure, I'm trying to relish every moment with friends, students, and even the interesting people on the streets. Yesterday on the bus to new campus, a man started talking to me and we chatted in Chinese for a while. He was fascinating because he didn't seem Chinese at all due to these following reasons:

1.) He was wearing a blue track suit and white sneakers.
2.) He was wearing aviators even though it was raining and 7:30 in the morning.
3.) He had a nice beard.
4.) His voice was a mix between Humphrey Bogart and Sean Connery.

Hope you can also relish life and the people He has placed before you, no matter where you might be in this big, wide world!

P.S. Here's an excerpt of an email from one of my dear students:
"I'll never forget you ,Mrs Luara ,my first foreign teacher .And I hope you 'll remenber us forever ! In China ,there's a little Nancy who hold you in her heart."


(Sweet friends! How can I leave them?)