Let it Snow!

The sound of shovels scraping the sidewalks awakens me in the mornings now. It is winter time in Harbin. Sometimes I forget I am living and working in a foreign country. The sounds of the shovels remind me of shoveling snow on the farm back home. Now it is the same freshmen who I teach in the classroom who are armed with shovels and brooms. 

This is one class of students out sweeping the rain before the snow came. Notice in left middle ground, Money's mittens attached with a string. In the middle Briana always needing to be seen. Middle background is Charles with a broom (he's the one who called an American restaurant during class).

Their class picture with the shiny shovels and brooms.

I taught them the word shoveling the same day I was teaching shortened speech. 

Example:

What are you doing? -> Wat'r ya' doin'?

Yesterday, when I asked them how the were doing, the students answered. "I'm so tired." <in a very whiny voice>  Knowing I always ask them "Why?" They told me, "We were clean snow." <insert them gesturing in their seats the motion of sweeping and shoveling>

Taking advantage of the opportunity to review, I said, "Oh, you were shoveling snow." I was met with puzzled looks. Slightly disappointed they didn't seem to remember the word, but not fully discouraged I said it again and wrote 'shoveling' on the board. The class did the "Ohhhh" sigh as they all said "SHOV' LIN' " 

Only one of the reasons I enjoy my classes, because they now actually understand my accent and whether they realize it or not, they are starting to sound a little more Kansan every day!

Stay warm! Lora

Shepherding and Saying Good-bye

Saying goodbye really stinks, or as my dad prefers to say, "Stinks, what does it smell like, it must be rough!"

 I'm curious if there are people who actually

enjoy good-byes?

Maybe someone who's going to be with Papa? ... I'm not sure.

Needless to say, this week is difficult. Not necessarily because of all the details or paperwork that has to be done (because most is already finished). Not even because I'm trying to read two and a half journals and pull out important entries with only a few days left to finish the project. These past few weeks I have been reflecting on how tremendously blessed I've been to meet so many incredible people. Folks who have spoke Truth in my life, who have loved me, encouraged me, mentored me and who are now letting me go to a new pasture. 

Today I visited the LinC office at Washburn. As always, our conversation ranged from serious life questions about the status of society in the world to shepherding. Yes, shepherding! The question was raised of what does a shepherd actually do all day? From our 'city-folk' perspective it seems a shepherd basically watches the sheep graze, occasionally moving them to a new stand of grass. They also shear the wool once it's grown long enough and help make sure the lambs grow up to be sheep. I wonder if a shepherd every is sad if they have to let some of their flock move to be under the care of a different shepherd.  (Keep in mind this is from someone who has never raised sheep, I am completely open to the insight of an actual shepherd!)

I share this story because I see how Father has brought people into my life to be my shepherd. I have been cared for, I have felt loved, I feel I'm learning what it means to be a sheep who follows the Good Shepherd. 

How does this relate to good-byes?

I feel I'm the sheep coming back to thank the shepherds in my life. I want to promise I can return to be in their herd again, but deep within me I recognize that is a promise I'm not sure I can keep. After all, I don't know what this coming year brings. Today I visited Washburn to say good-bye many of the professors and former colleagues who have had a profound impact in my life. I also said see-you-later to a couple who have been there exactly when I needed them. They were there the times I was ready to throw in the towel and tell Father, "You're wrong, you've told me the wrong path to take! I give up!" Thank you for being in tune with Papa's direction to come alongside and encourage me to pick up my bags and keep going! I wouldn't be in this place today without your faithfulness and obedience.

In packing news, thank you Laura for helping me pack. Here's the pile from the other day (and yes the stuff is in the bags with space to spare!) After the weigh-in for the bags tomorrow we'll be calculating how many chocolate chips will make the journey!

(The award is from Camp AJ. Thank you all for your thoughtfulness, I was given the "Foreign Ambassador" award.)