Peace and Love

It has been such a blessing to get to know my fellow teachers this year. I have spoken of Graham and Jessica this year in my blog a little. Graham is in his 3rd year in China, and Jessica her 2nd. Graham and I were in the same group that came over my first year. This year I have grown closer to them as my brother and sister. It has been so amazing to get to share such an amazing experience and work with 2 incredible people. Just before we returned to China.. they started dating, after having worked together and built up a strong friendship for a whole year.

This past Thursday, Graham got down on one knee and asked the love of his life to marry him. She said yes. It was very special. The few of us foreigners that are closest to them got to be there. We were in a restaurant in a room that overlooks Moon Lake in Ningbo. It is a great little place that is right on the water. It was night time and just perfect. He said the sweetest things and offered her a gorgeous Diamond. It was such a special thing to get to be apart of.

They will get married on August 22nd in California in front of some of the most important people in their lives. It is so encouraging to see a relationship like theirs. They have the same priorities, goals, and beliefs in life. Those are the things that count the most. Graham is a kind and caring man. Jessica is beautiful inside and out and has the most amazing kind spirit. To get to witness a relationship like this has been wonderful. To get to see them grow together and learn things about life and each other in this Work. They have done amazing Work here for our DAD and it's been a pleasure to be apart of that.

I find it completely and purely encouraging to know that there is one more marriage that is going to make it. In a world where divorce is so common, and betrayal. It is just reassuring to know that there is one more couple in this world with the right focus and who is going to be together forever. They have the right base to their relationship to make it last. They are in it for the long haul as most would say. It's just encouraging to see.

I was thinking the other day about the uncertainty of life. How there are so many things that people don't know or understand. We are put into situations daily that people don't know how to handle. I am never in this situation. I may feel like I am. I may feel like I don't have the right answers. I might feel like I am completely lost, but I'm not. I have the guidebook in my hands everyday. I need to learn that guidebook inside and out so that I never question the right answer again. Whenever I don't think I know where I'm going.. I need to remember to look in my play by play. I am so blessed to have had DAD write down everything that I would need.

Other things going on life: I have been busy teaching.. fellowshipping with students. My apartment has not been empty one night since their big exam was over. I have had students come cook for me. I have cooked for students. I am so glad to have had the same students for a whole year. It has helped build those relationships so much more. I am so thankful for that. This weekend was May Day or Labor Day. Jessica and our student Coco and I all traveled to Suzhou to get some wedding stuff done. We got her bridesmaid dresses and wedding dresses made. They won't be ready for a few weeks, but we got it done. We also got wedding favors for the guests. Then we went to the foreign import stores, and TGIFridays to reward ourselves and celebrate such an amazing life we are getting to live. It was a good weekend of influence on Coco, and growing friendship for us. I am so blessed with people in my life here in China. Especially Jessica this year. Nothing else really has been going on... just lots and lots of work. The semester is winding down, and it's getting to be finals time. I have been working in Hangzhou and it's been really great. There have been some amazing things going on here for DAD and that is always a blessing..

Peace and Love is the ultimate wish for someone.. and that is what I wish Graham and Jessica. They already know where to find it.