I love a clean room.

Oh, Regina Spektor. I'm sitting in my incredibly clean room and relaxing after a long day of work. And I'm listening to some Regina along with some other good songs.

The last couple of weeks I have felt like life has made sense. I like the feeling of having it mostly together. I think that always comes with a clean room and some time in the word. Also a good conversation with Him. It's easy to still get caught up in the business of life, even here in China. I think sometimes I want so badly to escape the crazy, business of life and yet that never seems to happen. If it did happen I think I would be neglecting all of my responsibilities. I wonder if there is a place in life that you find yourself in a calm, slow pace sort of life. I hope one day I get there. Until then, the evenings will do.

Well it's a little less than 8 weeks before I am again on American soil. I am pretty excited about that, and of course a bit scared. My latest concern in life is what to do next. I'm thinking about where I need to be next year and what it is I should be doing. I would appreciate if you would be lifting that up for me. Thanks.

China is always exciting. There are a lot of things that contribute to the excitement. Things from taxi rides, to walks about the city, things happening in the classroom, random things breaking in the apartment, etc. Within maybe 3 weeks of each other we had our microwave quit working, our t.v. blow up (not literally, but it quit working), and the pipe under our sink start leaking hard core. So basically no leftovers and movies are now watched on the computer.

I'm sure maybe you are wondering what I do for fun in China. Well, that's a good question. I mostly watch movies and hang out with other teachers from the school. You can find me bustin' a move now and then, but only in the privacy of someone's home. Although it has crossed my mind to go out on the town some night :). Massages are incredibly cheap here, about $4.00 for an hour. I know, crazy! So I do that from time to time, and I do a lot of planning. I've recently started helping with middle school youth group. It's been fun. I was coaching the middle school girls volleyball team, but now the season is over. I liked that.

Well, I just felt like updating. I miss talking to people, so this is my way of sending my random thoughts and updates. I hope you all are well. I'm sure I'm not going to be traveling too much over Christmas, but if you are in central Ohio let me know :). Love.

-Kira

Christmas!

Okay, I have not posted in FOR-EV-ER. So, the latest news: I get to come home for Christmas. After 14 months of living in another country I get to see family and friends for a total of 12 days. Yes, that is not a long time, but it will be wonderful! So I probably won't be traveling a lot of places at Christmas time and if you really want to see me then you'll have to come and visit. However, I will return in June for at least the summer or maybe longer, that decision still has to be made :). If you are in Logan, Ohio or a surrounding area please inform me and I will do my best to see you.

As for what's going on in my life these days. Life is good and HE is good. My dad is doing better. I would ask for your continued thoughts, but he is staying positive and encouraged. He's actually a big reason that I'm even able to come home. HE has really restored my relationship with my dad, so PTL. It's a real gift. I don't think I would have imagined things to turn out the way they have, and I would love to share more sometime. I'm moved almost to tears even as I write this. Through all of these difficult circumstances that have brought more and more shadows to my family, he has never left us.

Thank you for your continued thoughts and encouragement. I continue to enjoy what I do, but I am not sure I'm gifted for what I'm doing. There are other passions and desires that have begun to arise in my heart. I really desire clarity and wisdom as to how to deal with and pursue these things. Be still before Him and wait patiently on Him....those who hope in Him will inherit the land. I waited patiently for Him; he turned to me and heard my cry. This is what I'm learning, so I continue to be still and try to wait on him. I love you all; I mean that. I hope you seek Him and find Him.