Official November Newsletter!!

Give Thanks in all situations. In Good and in Bad.

Salutations!!

As I write this letter I have only been here 8 days. But you are reading this, just days before or after Thanksgiving. I envy your holiday cheer, your bellies full of turkey and mashed potatoes, and your familial comfort. Yet, despite this envy I would not wish myself to be there with you. I am so thankful and delighted to be here in the land of Moon Cakes.

Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the peoples rejoice.

The Hard present gives me: patience to see what I can learn from those in my sphere of reference, hope that I will not always be helpless to do activities of daily life, and joy in the observation of those around me, and ultimately the privilege of becoming once more like a child experiencing the little things of life and relishing them as great achievements. I am quickly learning that when you rely on others to help you accomplish your daily tasks everything takes twice as long.

The Good future looks bright. I can see it shining ahead all the speaking, reading, and writing tasks ahead. Hopefully within the next two weeks I will be in school of some sort. I hope that by the time you hold this in your hand I am speaking more and going to and fro more confidently. I would like to introduce to you my new motto: “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.” John 3:27 This gets me through the day. I have been placed here through your generosity and conviction and ultimately by God.

I delight to tell you that as I enter language school I see it as a gift and a responsibility. I do not take it lightly. I will diligently learn so that I may effectively help those I come to help. Please hold me up in this task. I cannot do it in my own strength. Ask me what I am learning. So in keeping with my commitment to you let me tell you what I have learned so far.

Today: I learned how to make tomato soup from scratch, I do not have the cord that will transfer pictures taken on my cell phone to my computer, and that underwear can be purchased in the same place as shredded pork and candied melons. Yesterday: balancing on the back of a bike is tricky and that you can buy a week’s worth of vegetables for little over a dollar. Last Week: I learned that it is important to unplug the drain in the bathroom floor before you take a shower, plugging an appliance into the outlet may not be enough-you may also have to turn the outlet on, dvds from the united states do not play in all dvd players, and my textured flip flops have no traction on marble steps in the rain.

Thank you so very much for being a huge part in all of this. I will continue to tell you how things are going here. Your words of encouragement have been so touching.
Love, Denise