Help! The Police Are After Me!

So, I just got back from Thailand a couple days ago and my neighbor came over to tell me that the police had been looking for me while I was gone! He said they came by a few times! Apparently they needed something for my registration, b/c here everyone has to register your exact location with the police and give them copies of all sorts of stuff. Well, I guess I forgot something. Then later that same day, a lady from my apartment called me and, after a friend's translation, I found out that the police had called her looking for me! They told her my visa had expired and I either needed to take them a copy of my new one or leave the country! It was crazy. So I tried to go today so they didn't get more upset, only to find out that they need a copy of my apartment contract and their copy machine is broken so I have to find somewhere to do it myself! Good grief. I knew the police kept close tabs on foreigners, but this is much more than I've ever experienced! My friend said they'd also been to his house asking all sorts of questions... Welcome to Asia! : )

birthday feelings

Well, it's that time of year again - my birthday! I always have mixed feelings around this time b/c while it is my birthday, there are also sad memories that come with it. Exactly ten years ago today one of my best friends died. I always think about this, but for some reason this year is exceptionally hard. I should be "over it" by now, but I keep thinking "Where would she be today?" "What would she be doing?" "Would she be married?" and so much more... Then I remember so many things about our friendship - good and bad. I remember the first time I met her and thought she was "such a baby" b/c she was still sucking her thumb, but after about 30 minutes we were inseparable. I remember going to her house and riding horses and playing with all her dogs. I remember playing "house" all the time and arguing over who had to be the dad. I remember making presents for each other at Christmas. I remember taking Valentine's Day pictures with her one year b/c it was supposed to be a family picture but her parents were fighting. I remember getting soo angry at her when she would try to tell me I couldn't have any other friends but then she'd ignore me. I remember being so worried about her parents and how they treated her. I remember her struggle with not eating. I remember some of the horrible decisisons we made together and things we did. I remember the cards, and phone calls, and "make-up" gifts we always gave each other after fighting. And then I remember her funeral and the misery after. I've never hurt that much in my life. But then I remember the amazing healing power of Christ slowly coming into my life and, after many years, slowly putting my heart back together. So now, ten years down the road, I don't question God with why, I just remember and thank God for bringing her into my life and ask that he would be with her family today. The verse that comes to mind today is Psalm 40:2-3 which says "He brought me out of the pit..., out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock...He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God."

Having Company...

So, this week was October holiday here and I had several friends from Shanghai come visit. This was such a blessing! There were a total of 6 people, 4 of which I knew, 2 were new. We had so much fun though! We rode bikes around the city, found some rice fields in the outskirts, ate a LOT of really good food, and went to a place w/ these awesome outdoor hot springs. This was one of my favorite parts of the week by far. It's so beautiful and relaxing, out in the pine trees and cool mountain air. Plus you get a body scrub and full body massage along w/ the rose, green apple, lemon, and just normal scented hot springs. Definitely a great place, which I will take anyone to who comes to visit me, hint hint. : ) Another highlight was having them come to my youth group just to see what it was like. It just reminded me how much DAD has blessed the Shanghai group w/ amazing leaders and how honored I am to know them. It also revealed some areas in my heart that needed changing and growth, and in the end it gave me a bigger heart for my group here. But now they're all gone, and I'm sad. I'm remembering what it was like to have people all around and missing the community. Plus talking to Shanghai youth students is hard too b/c I know them so well and now I'm starting all over again. I know it will be ok, I still know this is where I should be, but I'm currently asking for strength and fellowship here. I know that DAD is faithful though, so I'm trusting Him until then and seeking out what He's trying to teach me. Anyway, I now need to start to do all the work I avoided while my company was here.... oh dear, this could be a long night....

New city

Ok, so it's been umm... a while since I've written anything on this, but I really want to try to keep it updated this year, so we'll see...

I'm in my new city now, but I've only been here like 3 days... First on my list is finding an apartment - Liz and I have been traipsing around looking at different ones, and let me tell you there are some strange apartments here! One had the kitchen in the living room(which consisted of a sink w/ a cabinet above and below it), one was like 7 feet wide and 40 feet long, one didn't have a kitchen, one had a glass partially see through wall w/ no doors anywhere in it, and so much more. I'm actually considering the one w/ the glass wall though b/c the price and size is good. I might go back and look again today to see if it's worth it - it's not finished though so I'd have to put in a stove, a sink, a shower, a hot water heater, doors, etc. So yeah, that's my current adventure! There is another one I like much better, but it's 3 bedroom (2 are tiny though) and a little more expensive. It's really close to my friends though, so I don't know. We'll see... I start language classes on Monday and Liz and I are working out a dance schedule... I haven't met w/ the youth people yet, so curious to see how that's gonna work... so yea, that's me for now!