A Very Chenzhou Christmas!

Merry Christmas, all!

I received pictures today of the kids in their clothing! I'm so excited to see how happy they are. :)

I just wanted to say thank you to all who helped out this year. It means so much to me and these kids! Because of you, they were able to have a Christmas as well!

Here are some pictures for you all to enjoy!

All of my donations which FILLED three very full suitcases

Sweet 20+ year old with her new clothes :)

MuShu!

Lily... whose forever family is naming her Ellie! :)

Sweet Lulu!

Someone raided the candy canes... ;)

The Older kids with their presents!

Look at those smiles in the back!

God Bless, and have a Merry Christmas! :)

Lesson learned.

“God’s plan isn’t always what you expected, but often more than you could ever hope.” - Pastor Steve Murrell

It’s funny how at the end of every year I look back and review everything that’s happened. Whether it be good or bad. Most of the time my year doesn’t go as planned. And I remember thinking in these situations… “why can’t everything just go according to plan? Let’s stick to the book.”

And then I realized… They are according to a plan. But not mine, His.

As I look back on these happenings though, I’m grateful for the unexpected. One, they keep life a little bit interesting. And two, the Lord teaches me lessons through these.

And even though they may not be fun at the time… It’s my favorite way to learn a lesson. I love it when the Lord allows me to see for myself the rules and lessons we must learn. It always means so much to me when He trusts me enough to give me an insight of what it means to be more like Him.

Like learning faithfulness. Trust. Unconditional love. Compassion. Forgiveness. Peace.

Those are only a few lessons 2011 has brought me.

And though the situations that caused some of them may not be what I planned or expected…. It’s more than I could have hoped they could be. They are a lesson learned.

To YOU be the Glory

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." - Colossians 3:17

Chenzhou Christmas is on it's way! A big thanks to all of my friends and family, through them I received enough clothes to send over. It took a lot of time and packing, but it is finished. :) I sent 3 very full suitcases full of clothes and little activities for the kids. I found 3 students traveling home for the holidays who are taking them, and then they'll be shipped to the orphanage.

I had a few panic attacks when I didn't have enough curriers and A LOT of stuff to send... But the Lord pulled through like He always does and sent two more angels to carry the luggage :)

During the process I had a lot of people who were donating saying how amazing I am and can't believe I'm only in high school and doing this. Where it's flattering and I'd love to take credit for it all, it's not me. It's all the Lords work, and I'm honored that he's working through me. He has given me a heart for these children and I'm just happy to help in anyway. HE receives the glory. ALL of it. I am nothing without him. I'm worthless and incapable of doing anything without him. So for that, He receives all the credit.

So in that light, I'm thankful the Lord has provided for me to figure out how to do this. I've had a few learning experiences along the way, but it's only to prepare me for next year ;). I'm grateful that He has placed this passion in my heart to help this kids, and led me to do so, and carried me through it all. I'm do thankful for everything He has done for us, and everything He has made me to be. He receives the glory. He is the one who has made all things possible.

Anyways, I hope to get pictures in a few weeks whenever the orphanage receives the packages. I can't wait to see it all! The kids are going to love it. Again, thanks to everyone who has helped out. I really do appreciate it. It's going to be such a huge blessing for them, because I know they've needed warm winter clothes. Such a blessing. Thank you all... And have a Merry Christmas! :)

Help Give the Chenzhou Orphanage a Christmas!

Two weeks ago I was talking with my mom about China, and as the cool winter air began to set in, we began wondering about my little buddies in the Chenzhou orphanage and how they were doing. I wondered how we could bless them this Christmas. So I emailed the orphanage director to ask if there was any way we could help. The next morning I was happy to receive a reply with pictures of “Will” (my Chenzhou buddy)….this is the best way to wake up, by the wayJ. They also said they do need winter clothes for the children in sizes 0-12 years old.

So here is where the importance of this post comes into play… I need YOUR help. While I wish I had the money to buy warm winter clothes for every child in the orphanage, I don’t think that is possible without the help of some friends. So, this Christmas, would you help bring Christmas to the orphans of Chenzhou?

A few ways you can help:

1) Sponsor a child by purchasing their winter clothing and, if you wish, some small gifts (*see small gift suggestions below). Or send money and we will shop for your sponsored child.

2) Get the word out to all your friends and family.

3) PRAY. Pray for the kids. Pray that they get the warm clothing they need in what can be a terribly cold winter for those living in an orphanage. Pray for a courier….we are working on finding a family who will be traveling to China and can bring an extra suitcase or two full of these donations (if you know of anyone, please let us know).

Here’s how it will work:
If you’re willing to sponsor a child email me (dancingjesusfreak@gmail.com) and I will send you a photo of your sponsored child. If you want to shop for your sponsored child, I will send you sizes along with the photo. If you would just like to send money, I will email you my home address and you can send a check to me. When the children receive their gifts, I will ask that the orphanage take photos that I can share with you. I can’t promise that they will take pictures of all the children, but I will ask them to take as many as possible.

Suggested gifts:
-Any winter clothing – long sleeved shirts/sweaters, pants, socks, hats, gloves, coats, scarves, blankets…you get the idea. All items should be new or like-new…preferably with tags.
-Small gifts that can fit in a 9x12 envelope. Small gifts can include: Stickers, coloring books, hair bows, jewelry, small candies, toy cars, toothbrushes, hairbrushes/combs, sun glasses, etc.
-Please do NOT send: large toys that don’t fit in a 9x12 envelope (we just won’t have space), nail polish, bubbles, gum, or anything heavy, sticky, or spill able.
-You and/or your child(ren) can send a note and a family picture. We will have the notes translated so the child or caregivers can read them.

My hope is to send the gifts for Christmas or Chinese New Year. I will need all donations (clothing or money) by December 4^th.

These kids need our help! Can they count on you? I mean, how can you say no to these sweet faces? J

China On My Mind

Recently, I've had China on my mind.

It seems all I can think about is China, China, China.

Every time I flip through a magazine, there's China. Or simply through my house... so many Chinese decorations.

Recently, every time I close my eyes to sleep, I'm greeted with beautiful Chinese faces with almond eyes from the orphanage I've visited. The dreams of China just won't stop.

Even today I was in class doing a writing prompt, and my friend says to me, "Hey! Let's write about the "your" kids in China." (yes, she said "your").

I've been reading "Kisses from Katie" by Katie Davis, and whenever she mentions Uganda and her love for it and the children, I think about how much I love CHINA and the KIDS I've met there.

CHINA CHINA CHINA.

It's been popping so much so that now I'll look at the clock when I wake up in the morning and go, "hmm, I wonder what the orphanage is doing right now. Probably eating, getting ready for bed, or sleeping..." and when I go to bed, "Oh, the kids are probably starting their day now. The oldest, Will and June, in school, and the younger kids studying at the orphanage."

Recently, the memories from my last trip has been popping into my head. Like, seeing Will for the first time in a year, and him grabbing my hand and running me down the hall to play IMMEDIATELY after being reunited.

Or memories of hugging "Miss Crazy", a beautiful little girl, after she gave me her drawing... the giggle that she made from my tight squeeze, reminding me that this sort of love from strangers is so unreal.

Or picking up a crying infant, one who lays in her crib all day long in a hot stuffy room, and hearing her cry turn to soft breathing and she looks in your eyes with curiosity.

Memories like coloring with a girl who has severe cerebral palsy, and mostly forgotten, haunt me.

China is always there.

I wake up thinking about it, and I go to bed thinking about it.

I try to find a way to relate things to China or my experiences there or the kids who have come home or the kids who are still there.

Why? I ask God the same question.

But as I read Kisses from Katie, or look through pictures and tear up, I can't deny a longing to be back. A deep desire to be there RIGHT now. My heart aches thinking that I can't be there to squeeze them all day long, and color with them, or play games.

I MISS MY KIDS.

I've recently gotten a job and started to save every bit of money I possibly can so I can return to see the beautiful faces once again. I'm praying and hoping that I'll be able go back in the summer.

But in spite of that, there are some days when I just wish I could pack up and return. Right NOW.

But God has a plan. He knows what He's doing in my life. I can only hope and pray that apart of that plan is for me to return to the other half of my heart. Again, again, and again.

I don't really know what to make of all of this. Sometimes thinking of China puts me in a bad mood, longing to be there but being stuck here, half a world away. But most days it puts me in a good mood, thinking and remembering all the wonderful memories I've made with my Chenzhou kids and nannies.

Like I said, I don't know what to make of all of this. I don't know what the Lord is trying to tell me. I don't know when the answer to my prayers will come. I don't know when these pangs of missing China will end.

All I know is, I've had China on my mind.

The Older I Get...

I go to a small private Christian school. They teach what we call "classical" education... which in so many words is like saying we do everything with a Christian worldview tagged to the end of it. It's always been a very small school, which honestly, I don't understand. It's wonderful. The education and community.

Well, this year we have had the privilege of opening up our lower school, so now we are a K-12 school. And can I just say, I LOVE having this kids around?

These kids brighten my day. And to be more specific, the K-2nd graders. I love all of them to death. For some reason that has always been my favorite age of kids... I love seeing how their brains work, seeing the joy they find, and the simplicity of life. Spending time with them is like seeing the world through a whole new lens.

Obviously, we don't have any classes with these kids. So it saddened me the first few weeks of school when we didn't have much contact with them besides a hello in the hallway and a high five in the bathroom. But, my best friend and I decided to somehow get into their lives.

So... for the past few weeks we've been eating lunch with the kids a few days a week, and also volunteering in their classroom on days when we have breaks. After the first day, I knew I loved these kids. They made my day. I can't even describe how much these angels made me laugh.

I'm just going to say, I'm SO grateful God gave me a heart for children in general. So blessed to have that gift.

After our first day of reading, building with pattern blocks, and kickball, the teacher stopped us and said, "Thank you so much. You have no idea how happy this has made them. Ya'll just made their day."

And that's when it dawned on me. I remember when I was their age, how I used to think older kids in their teen years were so cool. That even a hello and a highfive brightened my day. I began to realize that I looked up to those big kids.

And then an "aha" moment came over me. Now, I'M that big kid. I'M the one that brightens their day. I'M the one they're looking up to.

(Speaking of "aha" moments, any Modern Family fans out there? Did you see the premiere this week? Favorite line... "Manny, this is your "haha" moment!" haha, I love that family).

What a cool thing to think about, but also in that same sense, scary. I realized that the things I do, those kids will imitate. Those things I say, the kids will take in. And I began to realize, I need to be someone I would want to look up to. I need to be someone I would want my sisters and friend to look up to.

That's a lot of responsibility. But what a cool opportunity to plant seeds of truth into these kids at such an early age. I don't know how the Lord will use Alicia and I in these kids lives, but I'm so excited to see. And I can't wait to see how He will use THEM in OUR lives.

This Girl.

This girl is my best friend.

This girl, is the only reason I made it through Sophomore year.

I am more than thankful for this girl. God has truly blessed me with bringing this girl into my life.

This time last year, was the first time I'd ever met this girl. She was new at my school, and everyone else seemed to know her, except me. For our first week of school, my school goes to a camp, and we all hang out and get to know everyone. Well, all that week, I barely talked to her. She was off hanging out with the Juniors and such, and I was off hanging out with other people.

But on the last night/day, something clicked. We both realized how much we understood each other, and how we thought the same.

It seems like just last week we were sitting up on our bunk bed laughing the night away, having so much fun together. And now, we're here, a year later, getting ready for camp, and I'm happy to call her my best friend. :)

This year has brought us a lot of ups and downs. It's been a roller coaster ride for the both of us. But I've always said, the ones with lots of ups and downs, twists and turns, unexpected drops, are always the best. They're the type of roller coasters you want to ride. And through all of this, we've both learned so much. But I'll tell ya, I have nooo idea what my life would be like without her.

She was always there when I needed someone to talk to. When I was super excited about something, she was right there. When I needed someone to vent to, she was always there. When I needed someone to laugh with, she was always right beside me. When I was sad and needed someone to comfort me, she was RIGHT there. This girl. She is the best.

We began to realize over the year, that we think EXACTLY the same. Believe it or not. And the same things (like scenarios) would seem to happen to the both of us at the sa

me time.

The thing I love most about her, is that she's a God fearing woman of Christ, and she always pushes me to be a better person. When I'm upset or venting, she always tells it to me s

traight--what I need to hear. She always reminds me that God has a plan for everything, and it's not the end of the world. She loves the simple things in life, and loves the life she lives. And really, that's what counts. :)

This girl. This girl is the best. I am so blessed to call her my best friend.

We've had some crazy times together. Football games, mall time, car rides, scr

eaming at the top of our lungs, middle-of-the-night snack runs in our pajamas, dancing around at Mapco, almost being hit by a train (NO JOKE), so many inside jokes, laughing till no end in class, and so so so many more.

I love her. That's all I have to say. She's my best friend, and she really is the best.

God has done so much for our relationship in just one year, and I can't wait to see what He has planned for us in the years to come. For now, I'm focusing on Junior year. And so far, we've gotten off to a great start :))

I love you Alicia, dear. You're the best. I love you to no end, and I always will. Never forget it. :)