a lot has been going on since i actually WROTE a post...
Qiao Qiao left our family...i am so thankful for the blessing of having him to hold and love and pray over, even though he was only with us for a short while...he's now living in Chong Qing with some amazing girls and is awaiting his cleft lip/cleft palate surgery...please continue to keep him and the girls caring for him in your prayers!
chinese new year was...amazing! so many good memories made with friends and family! the fireworks were breathtaking as always but i was actually ready for them to STOP this year after the 15th day...we sent off lanterns off of our rooftop this year, something we'd never done before, that was beautiful...and oh my, the food! so much delicious Sichuan food! it was bittersweet for me because it's probably the last time i'll be in China for Chinese new year in at least four years, so i was very thankful for the special time i had with my family! it was a very relaxing vacation and we were all very sad when school started back...
it's been a roller-coaster of a month as far as Cassie's adoption...first we got news that we don't have enough money to adopt...yeah, we're not exactly in this country for the money...then my parents found a way to be able to clear things up there, so that was a relief...but for the last few days all the feedback has been very positive and we're all becoming hopeful that we're nearing the end of this painful process! please keep us in your prayers, we greatly appreciate all the prayers and words of encouragement!
some good news i received just a couple days ago was that i have been hired to work as a secretary at Pensacola Christian College over the summer in the A Beka Academy Offices! this is a huge blessing and answer to prayer since i really need the funds and work experience! my mother and i will be heading back to America sometime soon after May the 22nd (my graduation) and i will begin work at PCC on June the 21st.
i've been wondering about so many things lately, stressing out about leaving my beloved China (which is home to me), having my first job, learning how to drive, starting college, figuring out my major, what exactly i want to do with the rest of my life...i just keep reminding myself that no matter what happens, God will see me through it, if i keep my focus on trying (to the best of my ability, though sometimes unsuccessfully) to live HIS will for my life...i know there's going to be trials and tribulations and i'll make mistakes (lots of them) but i'm so thankful for the peace of mind that i can have because of my relationship with Jesus Christ, knowing that that is the ONE thing that will never change...i'm also thankful for the amazing family He has given me who will support me no matter what and the friends and church family who all believe in me and want to see me reach my full potential, even when i don't have faith in myself...my parents, who have always been my best friends, counselors, teachers, and confidants...the girls in my bible study, sarah, sami, kristina, aubrey, and taylor...you girls have such a sweet godly spirit, and i appreciate your heart for serving others and the encouragement and accountability you are in my life! adam & candice, who are always there if i need people older and wiser to talk to, even if they don't like to be reminded of that fact! haha! i am thankful for my dearest friends that i know will be there for me if i need anything!
so this is it...my last three months living at home...my last three months (at least for a while) living in China...i'm sure i'll have much more to write about after graduation and all the transitions and adventures of starting life on my own begin, for now, life is in limbo.
on a much lighter note, my 18th birthday is this month! i don't have any plans but i'm super excited to turn 18! :)
