Woke up. Checked my phone. Watched a short Hilary Duff documentary. Took a shower. Tried on different outfits. Put on makeup. Ate porridge. Left for work. Helped with first grade/kindergarten class. Talked to Ms. Amy about her kids and college. Took kids to conversational Chinese class. Watched kids. Chased 4.5 year-old girl around the room. Let her cry in the office. Took her back. Went to get water with her. She refused and wanted to get water from her classroom. Couldn’t, because there was Chinese class going on. Handled the second tantrum. Kept her in a room until she chose to behave. She didn’t. Took the first graders/kindergarteners back to their classrooms. Watched older kids play DDR. They are pros. Went home. Left for Vicky’s house. Listened to Vicky and Erin practice worship music. Met Chen Li. Ate too much Chinese food and pizza. Had a time of worship. Went upstairs to tie ribbons on wedding table placement cards and have a time of sharing. Vicky, Richard, Erin, Pam, Steven, and Kevin shared. Made a wish and blew out birthday candles on cake. Ate black forest cake. Took pictures. Went home with Brelly. Discovered what chiggers are. Talked to a friend on the phone.

Overall, this has been the best birthday yet in a very long time. But then again…I’ve finally realized how good I have it. How much grace and love is poured out to me on a daily basis by my friends and family. I don’t think I’ve ever been so genuinely happy on my birthday before. Or not that I can recall. My family has been so patient with me and my attitude. My friends have been so kind and caring.

This is a little random, but as Brelly was dropping me off at home tonight…I just want to say that I really look up to them. Found out that Brian’s car got totaled and Nelly was saying how she’s been a little down b/c she’s wondering why all this stuff has been happening to them. But then she realized all the positive things in this situation, such as: Brian’s completely fine, the accident happened after he dropped his grandma off at the airport, no other cars hit his car on the highway, the other person involved was honest and they both admitted that the blame was mutual.
And not only this situation, but how they handle everything (or the ones I know of) in their lives. They’re always being hospitable towards the youth in opening up their house to us and sharing/making more than enough food. They’re available 24/7 for us to talk to. I’ve never seen Brian or Nelly get mad, not saying that they don’t…but they keep themselves rooted in Christ. Very good at leading. Humble. Loving. It makes me look forward to finding someone who no matter what we go through, we’ll know and trust that God will always be there to pull us through. I’m sure their relationship isn’t perfect, but at least they try and they don’t take credit for how things turn out.

I love it when people don’t have to tell you who they are; you just notice through their actions.