Days of my life

Like always, it's been a whirlwind week. I feel like I've been in a race; when I get to the end of the week I'm exhausted! But usually I'm exhausted in a good, fulfilled kind of way. Whether it's classes, work, studying, hanging out with people, or enjoying the 98 degree fall weather, it all seems worth the effort.

So far in my grad school career, I'm standing at a C-. And I'm pretty proud of that C-, especially when I'm surrounded by geniuses. That was the score of my first Management Economics quiz; I'm honestly surprised I didn't do worse. I've completed various other assignments and papers so far, but the professors don't seem overly eager or motivated to give them back to us. All I have is a 70% to my name.

I feel like my time in China has helped but also hurt me for grad school. It helps because I'm older, hopefully wiser, more grateful to be here, much more social, and have learned from some crazy life experiences. It seems to have also hurt me because I'm older, rustier, less concerned with grades, more nonchalant, and easily distracted by American culture.

Anyway, the weekdays are packed full with classes, work, group projects, and activities during the week. Then the weekend is also packed full with a million interesting things to do, church, beautiful scenery, international Bible studies, and of course, much more studying.

Tonight, for example, I'm going to the opera with my friends. We bought season tickets for only $50 to see 6 operas and 3 ballets. The IU School of Music is world-renowned, so I'm excited for such culture that I've been craving the past several years. I was going to go to the football game, but I think opera wins.

In other news, it's exciting to hear about how the rest of my family has also embraced international students. They have always had a big heart for other nations, but it seems like the Father's really brought some awesome people into their lives lately.

My mom has basically "adopted" two Chinese girls who are students at Washburn University. They come over to Mom's house to cook, hang out, and discuss the Word! They love having an American friend who is motherly and loving and fun!

Then Andrea has had a long relationship with international students, too, at her college. She and I both agree that we just seem to click better with Asians than other people. Last year her Chinese roommate became a believer, because Andrea was also loving her and sharing about truth with her. Now that girl is attending fellowship and growing in her faith. Some of Andrea's best friends are Chinese, Malaysian, and Korean. And as an intern with Campus Outreach, Andrea is just continuing her relationships with them.

Here's a picture of Andrea with her Malaysian friends at a birthday party recently. It warms my heart!