Don't Waste Your Life

Our grad program here is "only" 2 years (it feels a million times longer!), but I'm already ready to graduate in May. Hopefully I'll get more into the swing of things as the semester goes along.

In the midst of starting new classes I finished reading the book, "Don't Waste Your Life," by John Piper. I was reminded about focusing on the awesome privilege of knowing God, being glad in Him, and helping others also know and be glad in Him. Why is it always a perpetually never-ending lesson to remember that life is so much bigger than my own little self-centered world? Pouring myself into other people reaps contentment, which I'm rediscovering.

There were quite a few highlights from this past week as I've thrown myself back into classes, work at city hall, and relationships with other people:

-I was sitting in my urban planning class silently fuming because it seems not challenging at all and pretty pointless. Then I discovered a fellow classmate from Jiangxi province! Most Chinese people I meet here come from the huge coastal cities and not rather "backwater" places like Jiangxi. She said she had a lot of friends attend Blue Sky, where I taught in China. Her name is "Yan" and she was incredibly surprised and thrilled I had lived there. I was also incredibly surprised and thrilled to meet her, and we commenced to discuss all the familiar things from there.

-I received a sweet note in the mail from my adopted family I lived with this summer. In the note they said "We all still have an empty spot in our hearts that only your space can fill." Weep, weep! Who knew we'd all come to care for each other so much? And I miss them--almost as much as my real family. I especially miss their home-cooked meals! Now I have to try and rustle up meals on my own. Rough life!

-Although I complain a bit about being back in school, this is a tremendous blessing and opportunity to study! I should be thankful for all that I'm learning, especially in the neat people I continually meet and for all the reunions I had this week with dear, sweet friends.

-Last night I helped out with an English conversation class at church for international students. I was immediately transported back to my days of "English corner" in China. This was a much more tame version compared to the afternoons at Blue Sky where I was surrounded on average by at least 25 eager beavers who mostly came to stare at the foreigner. The majority of the participants in this particular class are married Chinese couples, and I am already in love with all of them! Now tonight I get to go to Chinese church and I'm bringing one of my good Chinese friends.

For some reason I still feel like my heart is hurting, but I know God is a great healer and redeemer! I'm thankful that He is faithful in redirecting me back toward meaningful pursuits and the knowledge that only He can fulfill. We have an awesome God deserving of praise. Have a blessed and restful Labor Day weekend!